excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the action or process of excavating

2

: a cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping

excavational

ˌek-skə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of excavation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the day the archaeologists found the Nefertiti bust, German nobles from Saxony were visiting Tell el-Amarna, and Borchardt dashed between his honorable guests and the excavation. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024

When the excavation’s explosions begin disrupting the safety of nearby reindeer slaughterer Rauno’s herd, Rauno approaches the research team, only to find the site vacant, the earth scorched, and a giant pit at the center of it all. —Brooke Knisley, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024

Needle in a haystack Finding the tiny needles required a thorough and precise excavation, Pelton said. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 4 Dec. 2024

Another hypothesis is that manatees were in abundance, but there are not many bones at excavation sites because they were not hunted like other animals. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin excavātiōn-, excavātiō, from excavāre "to hollow out, excavate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or process of excavating

2

: a hollowed-out place formed by excavating

Medical Definition

excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the action or process of excavating

2

: a cavity formed by or as if by cutting, digging, or scooping