BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of long non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) is involved in cervical cancer (CC) progression. This study aims to unveil the specific role and relevant mechanism of lncRNA H19 in CC. METHODS: The expression of lncRNA H19 in CC cells was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). CC cells were transfected with sh-H19, followed by cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were examined. After location of H19 in cells using fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH), target microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes associated with lncRNA H19 were predicted using bioinformatics analysis and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, the specific role of lncRNA H19 in CC was explored in vivo. RESULTS: The upregulation of lncRNA H19 was observed in CC cells. LncRNA H19 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CC cells, and remarkably promoted CC cell apoptosis. LncRNA H19 was localized in the nucleus and interacted with miR-140 that was downregulated in CC cells. MiR-140 inhibition reversed the effects of lncRNA H19 knockdown on CC cell development. MiR-140 targets ALDH1A1, and lncRNA H19 knockdown decreased the ALDH1A1 expression, which was rescued by miR-140 inhibition. In vivo experiments also shown that reduction of lncRNA H19 diminishes tumor growth via targeting the miR-140/ALDH1A1 axis. CONCLUSION: LncRNA H19 promotes the malignant progression of CC through targeting miR-140/ALDH1A1 axis.