# cavity

/ˈkævəti/ (US) · /kˈævɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cavity
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a hollow space

noun · CEFR B2

a hollow space or empty area inside a solid object.

For teachers: a hollow space or void within a solid object or structure.

- The explorers found a small cavity in the rock wall where they could hide from the rain.
- Engineers discovered a structural cavity within the concrete foundation that required immediate reinforcement to prevent further settling.

### 2. in a tooth

noun · CEFR B2

a hole in a tooth caused by decay.

For teachers: a lesion or hole in a tooth resulting from dental caries.

- The dentist told me I had a small cavity because I ate too many sweets.
- Regular dental check-ups are essential for detecting a cavity before the decay reaches the sensitive nerve of the tooth.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'fill' or 'drill'.

### 3. body space

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a space inside the body that holds organs.

For teachers: a fluid-filled or air-filled space in an animal body that houses internal organs.

- The lungs are located inside the chest cavity.
- The surgeon carefully examined the abdominal cavity for any signs of internal bleeding following the accident.

Usage: Commonly modified by anatomical adjectives like 'abdominal', 'thoracic', or 'nasal'.

Teaching tip: This is a technical term used by doctors and scientists; in everyday conversation, people usually just name the body part.

## Examples

- The dentist found a small cavity in my back tooth.
- Engineers discovered a large cavity in the rock that could make the bridge unstable.
- The surgeon carefully drained the fluid from the abdominal cavity to relieve the pressure on the patient's internal organs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.