plural caves
1
: a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff
2
: a usually underground chamber for storage
a wine cave
also
: the articles stored there
3
: a place providing privacy or seclusion from others
When a friend dragged her out of her cave to go salsa dancing for the first time, the rhythms … stepped into her soul …—
Leslie Guttman
see also man cave
Leslie Guttman
caved; caving
1
: to fall in or down especially from being undermined
—usually used with in
2
: to cease to resist : submit
—usually used with in
: to cause to fall or collapse
—usually used with in
Examples of cave in a Sentence
Noun
Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels.
Verb (2)
the wall caved in when a tree fell on it
I caved in to my bibliomania and bought two more books last week
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
The proposal calls for repairing the step surfaces and filling in a cave that has eroded beneath the steps with concrete designed to match the color and texture of the surrounding bluffs and seawall.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
In recent years, the roofs of two structures have caved in.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cave
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Noun
Booker Wines Courtesy of Booker Wines Though a picturesque tasting room is not the prerequisite for quality wines, the breathtaking estate at Booker Wines, complete with a tasting lounge and underground wine caves, is tough to resist.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2025
The proposal calls for repairing the step surfaces and filling in a cave that has eroded beneath the steps with concrete designed to match the color and texture of the surrounding bluffs and seawall.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
The announcement drew immediate condemnation from some faculty and free speech groups, who accused the university of caving to President Donald Trump's largely unprecedented intrusion upon the school's academic freedom.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
In recent years, the roofs of two structures have caved in.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cave
Cite this Entry
“Cave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cave. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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