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

Changes in the balance of these bacteria can lead to dental issues, such as oral infections and cavities. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 13 Oct. 2024

The American Academy of Pediatrics highlighted key limitations to the review by the National Institutes of Health, as well as the lifelong effects that tooth decay and cavities – a common and preventable chronic disease – can have. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024

Cleaning putty: on sale for $6.89 Original price: $7.99 Keep cleaning putty, on sale for less than $8 at Walmart, to quickly pick up crumbs, dust and debris in all the crevices and cavities of your car. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2024

Humans have two olfactory bulbs located in the forebrain, which are connected to each nasal cavity by the olfactory nerve. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2024

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

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