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

• concavity
• dent
• depression
• dint
• hole
• hollow
• indentation
• indenture
• pit
• recess

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

Studies show that community water fluoridation can help prevent cavities, which can save families money in the long run, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025

Summary Your bone marrow is a spongy material located in the cavities of your bones. —Gagandeep Brar, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025

This includes the large cavities in vast hot gas clouds also sculpted by black hole jets. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2025

That includes cleaning your gutters, removing any combustibles from around your house, making sure that embers can’t enter into your roof or your other cavities within your building. —Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

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