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

Point of fact, a recent article in the Financial Times suggests (paywall) that employment related to excavation, service, cleaning and repair sectors are likely to go largely unscathed in the next decade. —Joe Trusty, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

For many years, however, there were few protocols for the preservation or proper excavation of artifacts. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025

What's next: Major excavation work — hence the noise — continues through April. —Asher Price, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025

The site was basically frozen in time until centuries of excavation began in the early 1700’s, exposing this metropolis frozen in time. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for excavation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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