cavity

noun
cav·​i·​ty | \ ˈka-və-tē How to pronounce cavity (audio) \
plural cavities

Definition of cavity

1 : an unfilled space within a mass especially : a hollowed-out space
2 : an area of decay in a tooth : caries

Keep scrolling for more

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

Sprinkle the fish inside and out with salt, then stuff its cavity with the calamansi rinds and remaining habanero and Fresno chiles. Los Angeles Times, "Banana Leaf Grilled Fish With Habanero Beurre Blanc," 24 July 2019 The woman underwent surgery to remove the septum and extend her vaginal cavity. Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "This Woman Couldn’t Have Sex Because She Had a ‘Dead End’ Vagina—Here’s What That Means," 15 July 2019 An autopsy by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office determined the knife punctured Renix's left lung, causing his chest cavity to fill with blood. Jeff Rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Woman charged with Glendale motel stabbing said victim 'jumped onto my knife,' complaint says," 24 June 2019 Researchers found a reduction in the number of kids referred to surgery under general anesthesia for their early childhood cavities in communities with DHATs. Anchorage Daily News, "The living legacy of Alaska’s community health aides," 4 June 2019 With its resonating cavity, the traditional guitar was hard to amplify cleanly. David Kirby, WSJ, "‘The Birth of Loud’ Review: Constructive Feedback," 17 Jan. 2019 These drugs are usually injected into your vein or given by mouth, but in some cases they may be injected through a thin tube directly into your abdominal cavity, the ACS says. Korin Miller, SELF, "What Are My Options for Ovarian Cancer Treatment?," 13 Dec. 2018 To get the beer can out once the chicken is done, use a potholder to brace the can and use the tongs to grab the chicken inside the cavity from the top and gently wiggle the two apart. Julia O'malley, Anchorage Daily News, "Use a local brew to infuse a juicy Alaska beer can chicken," 13 June 2019 Trapped inside the cavity, the scientists were able to observe its quantum jumps. David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Can Save Schrödinger's Cat By Predicting Quantum Jumps," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cavity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of cavity

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for cavity

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for cavity

cavity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cavity

: a hole or space inside something
: a hole formed in a tooth by decay

cavity

noun
cav·​i·​ty | \ ˈka-və-tē How to pronounce cavity (audio) \
plural cavities

Kids Definition of cavity

1 : a small hole formed in a tooth by decay
2 : a hollow place The explosion left a cavity in the ground.

cavity

noun
cav·​i·​ty | \ ˈkav-ət-ē How to pronounce cavity (audio) \
plural cavities

Medical Definition of cavity

1 : an unfilled space within a mass
2 : an area of decay in a tooth : caries

Keep scrolling for more