cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈka-və-tē 

plural cavities

1

: an unfilled space within a mass

especially : a hollowed-out space

2

: an area of decay in a tooth : caries

Synonyms of cavity

• hole
• dent
• pit
• concavity

Examples of cavity in a Sentence

Some birds nest in tree cavities.

I had two cavities filled at the dentist's.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are rain showers, uplit shelves, televisions seemingly floating somewhere in the wall cavity, and curtains that expose the cube-like room to the rustling lemon trees with the flick of a button. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026

Although sugar-free gum may help reduce cavities, Fox News Digital has previously reported that dentists warn acids, sweeteners and excessive chewing may harm teeth or trigger other side effects. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

Torrez testified that investigators placed rods in the cavities left by the bullets to demonstrate the direction of the gunshots. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 9 Jan. 2026

Christmas garlands, high heels, and even craft supplies have all found a home in the spacious cavity. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French cavité, borrowed from Late Latin cavitāt-, cavitās, from Latin cavus "hollow, concave" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at hole entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cavity

• abdominal cavity
• body cavity
• pelvic cavity
• segmentation cavity
• spinal cavity
• thoracic cavity

Rhymes for cavity

• gravity
• concavity
• depravity
• intracavity
• microgravity
• supergravity

Kids Definition

cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈkav-ət-ē 

plural cavities

1

: a hollow place

especially : an unfilled bodily space

lung cavity

2

: a hole hollowed out in a tooth by decay

Medical Definition

cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈkav-ət-ē 

plural cavities

1

: an unfilled space within a mass

2

: an area of decay in a tooth : caries