1. forms cavities or hollow spaces; undergoes cavitation
Usage: technical; third person singular present tense of cavitate
2. in fluid dynamics, forms vapor bubbles in a liquid due to pressure drop
Usage: technical; engineering context

Examples

• The propeller cavitates when it spins too fast in the water.
• Tooth decay cavitates the enamel over time.
• The pump cavitates if the inlet pressure drops below the vapor pressure.
• Erosion cavitates the riverbed near the waterfall.
• The material cavitates under extreme stress conditions.