The expression of microRNA (miR)-200b is suppressed in numerous tumor types, leading to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which enables solid tissue epithelial cancers to invade and metastasize. The present study assessed the role of miR-200b in cervical cancer with the aim of clarifying the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and to identify potential strategies for its prevention and treatment of cervical cancer. Reverse‑transcription quantitative PCR revealed that miR‑200b was downregulated in invasive cervical carcinoma tissues compared with that in normal adjacent tissues. A Transwell migration assay indicated that transfection of cervical cancer cells with miR‑200b mimics significantly inhibited their migratory potential, while migration was enhanced in cells transfected with miR‑200b inhibitor. Furthermore, western blot analysis indicated a negative correlation between miR‑200b and mesenchymal marker vimentin as well as matrix metalloproteinase‑9, which has a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis. In addition, a positive correlation between miR‑200b and the epithelial marker E‑cadherin was revealed by western blot and immunofluorescence. The results of the present study suggested that miR‑200b suppressed the migratory potential of cervical carcinoma cells and therefore their ability to metastasize by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which may be utilized for the treatment of cervical cancer.