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caving

American  
[key-ving] / ˈkeɪ vɪŋ /

noun

  1. spelunking.

caving British  
/ ˈkeɪvɪŋ /

noun

  1. 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.

The roof can be caving in or they can be well-loved properties with absentee owners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

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

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

Are we wrong for not caving or catering more to our out-of-town guests?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 26, 2025

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

From Slate • Sep. 15, 2025

It’s like my throat’s caving in on itself.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.