excavate
verb
ex·ca·vate
ˈek-skə-ˌvāt 
excavated; excavating
1
: to form a cavity or hole in
2
: to form by hollowing out
3
: to dig out and remove
4
: to expose to view by or as if by digging away a covering
excavate the remains of a temple
: to make excavations
Examples of excavate in a Sentence
They excavated an ancient city.
It is the first site to be excavated in this area.
They began excavating the backyard for their new pool.
The excess dirt was carefully excavated.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eventually, there are revelations about the atrocities at Nickel; the grounds are excavated, and human remains discovered.
—
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
The research team discovered the first of the fossilized footprints in 2021 and the surface containing them was then excavated the following year, revealing the full extent of the tracks.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Members of the research team excavate to reveal footprints.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
When excavating a massive pit, mining operations often hit groundwater, potentially exposing the area's water table (and local drinking water) to contamination.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for excavate 
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Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024
The research team discovered the first of the fossilized footprints in 2021 and the surface containing them was then excavated the following year, revealing the full extent of the tracks.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Members of the research team excavate to reveal footprints.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2024
When excavating a massive pit, mining operations often hit groundwater, potentially exposing the area's water table (and local drinking water) to contamination.
—Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for excavate
Dictionary Entries Near excavate
Cite this Entry
“Excavate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavate. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
excavate
verb
ex·ca·vate
ˈek-skə-ˌvāt
excavated; excavating
1
: to hollow out : form a hole in
excavate the side of a hill
2
: to make by hollowing out
excavate a tunnel
3
: to dig out and remove
excavate sand
4
: to uncover by digging away covering earth
excavate an ancient city
excavator
noun
-ˌvāt-ər
Medical Definition
excavate
verb
ex·ca·vate
ˈek-skə-ˌvāt
excavated; excavating
: to form a cavity or hole in
an excavated wisdom tooth
: to make excavations or become hollowed out
an area of infarction in soft tissue often tends to excavate
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