cavitate

verb

cav·​i·​tate ˈka-və-ˌtāt How to pronounce cavitate (audio)
cavitated; cavitating

intransitive verb

: to form cavities or bubbles

transitive verb

: to cavitate in

Word History

Etymology

probably by back formation from cavitation

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cavitate was in 1909

Rhymes for cavitate

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Browse Nearby Words

cavitary
cavitate
cavitation
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Cite this Entry

“Cavitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cavitate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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