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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Some birds nest in tree cavities. I had two cavities filled at the dentist's.
Recent Examples on the Web Remove any gizzards or other detritus from the cavity of your chicken. 
Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 Jackson had a stab wound in his abdominal cavity area as well as a cut on his right knee, officials said. Alexandria Brown, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2022 These multiple beams of light are due to an array of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Historically, monkeypox has caused rashes that erupt around the face and oral cavity before spreading to the extremities, accompanied by a flu-like array of symptoms. Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Aug. 2022 The sonographer, measuring the fetus to check for proper growth, found the brain cavity was slightly enlarged. Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 The box simulates a cavity nest but allows enough space for animal care staff to keep a close watch on them, Miller said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 But this was no mere exercise in nostalgia; Morgan wanted to protect his books from dampness, which meant a modern cavity wall. Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 27 July 2022 The cavity formed when a mystery rocket crashed into the lunar surface on March 4. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 July 2022 See More
Mackensy Lunsford, USA TODAY, 20 Aug. 2022 Jackson had a stab wound in his abdominal cavity area as well as a cut on his right knee, officials said. Alexandria Brown, Arkansas Online, 2 Sep. 2022 These multiple beams of light are due to an array of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers, or VCSELs. Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Historically, monkeypox has caused rashes that erupt around the face and oral cavity before spreading to the extremities, accompanied by a flu-like array of symptoms. Megan Molteni, STAT, 7 Aug. 2022 The sonographer, measuring the fetus to check for proper growth, found the brain cavity was slightly enlarged. Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2022 The box simulates a cavity nest but allows enough space for animal care staff to keep a close watch on them, Miller said. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 But this was no mere exercise in nostalgia; Morgan wanted to protect his books from dampness, which meant a modern cavity wall. Michael J. Lewis, WSJ, 27 July 2022 The cavity formed when a mystery rocket crashed into the lunar surface on March 4. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 2 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
cavity
noun
cav·i·ty ˈka-və-tē
plural cavities
1
: a small hole formed in a tooth by decay
2
: a hollow place
The explosion left a cavity in the ground.
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
cavity
noun
as in hole
a sunken area forming a separate space a cavity in the lawn where a tree stump had been removed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hole
- dent
- pit
- concavity
- hollow
- indentation
- recess
- furrow
- cavern
- cave
- depression
- trench
- valley
- groove
- excavation
- burrow
- bowl
- ditch
- alcove
- basin
- pocket
- cleft
- socket
- dint
- indenture
- vacuum
- alveolus
- dimple
- gutter
- trough
- crater
- opening
- impression
- nook
- borehole
- niche
- imprint
- sinkhole
- void
- gouge
- well
- chasm
- abyss
- pothole
- notch
- water hole
- vacuity
- wallow
- chuckhole
- posthole
- gulf
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- protrusion
- projection
- bulge
- convexity
- protuberance
- tumor
- camber
- hill
- mound
- rise
- swelling
- swell
- jut
- lump
- hump
- bump
- bunch
- pimple