# caries

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkɛə.ɹiːz/ · frequency rank #51,012

## Definitions
1. The progressive destruction of bone or tooth by decay.
2. The progressive destruction of bone or tooth by decay.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin cariēs.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/caries