caving

American

[key-ving] / ˈkeɪ vɪŋ /

noun

spelunking.

caving British

/ ˈkeɪvɪŋ /

noun

the sport of climbing in and exploring caves

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

caver

noun

Etymology

Origin of caving

First recorded in 1865–70; cave ( def. ) + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

History suggests they will hesitate before eventually caving to his will.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

While I’d like to push back more, I know myself, and will end up caving and buying a new dress.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 8, 2025

You couldn’t be caught caving to an advertiser.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

Meanwhile, at Mayo Clinic, Lily was caving under the pressure she felt to get better.

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

I couldn’t stop shaking, and my limbs felt like they were caving in on themselves.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023