Abstract: Hydrodynamic cavitation degradation technology is a promising organic wastewater treatment technology. In this paper, the research progress in theoretical research and the practical application of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation by domestic and foreign scholars in recent years was reviewed and the future research directions were prospected. Firstly, the theoretical research and progress of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation was introduced, and the causes of cavitation formation and cavitation effects, influencing factors of cavitation collapse and the mechanism of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation were summarized and reviewed. The mechanism of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation can be divided into ″water phase combustion″ reaction mechanism, free radical reaction and mechanical action. The essence of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation is to use the hydrodynamic cavitation effect to treat organic wastewater. Cavitation collapse is also the cause of the cavitation effect. Secondly, the actual application of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation was introduced from two aspects: the hydrodynamic cavitation device and the hydrodynamic cavitation degradation process. In terms of the regarding hydrodynamic cavitation devices, the Venturi tube and orifice plate are the most common. In terms of the degradation process, the hydrodynamic cavitation degradation the combined process of hydrodynamic cavitation degradation, and the chemical agents and catalysts, the combined process of hydrodynamics and acoustic cavitation, and various integrated processes have sound effects on organic wastewater, but they are not universally applicable. Finally, the problems existing in the current research were discussed to provide a reference for further practical use of hydrodynamic cavitation technology, and the future of cavitation degradation technology was prospected.