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
adjective
ˌek-skə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl
-shə-nᵊl
Examples of excavation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was buried under ash and volcanic glass during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and, since the 1700s, archaeologists have been unearthing the city that’s been frozen in time in a large, ongoing excavation.
—
Amarachi Orie, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
During their three-year excavation on the western bank of the Nile River, archaeologists also found burial shafts and pits that held wooden coffins dating back to between 1580 and 1550 B.C.E., reports the Associated Press.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025
No detail is too small for an excavation this wonky, not even design department head Leo Yoshimura pointing out that a certain lamp is slightly crooked.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
History continues to echo in sculpture too, as ongoing excavations in China reveal new insights into the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, while 3D reconstruction projects bring the Buddhas of Bamiyan back to life virtually.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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Amarachi Orie, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
During their three-year excavation on the western bank of the Nile River, archaeologists also found burial shafts and pits that held wooden coffins dating back to between 1580 and 1550 B.C.E., reports the Associated Press.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025
No detail is too small for an excavation this wonky, not even design department head Leo Yoshimura pointing out that a certain lamp is slightly crooked.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Jan. 2025
History continues to echo in sculpture too, as ongoing excavations in China reveal new insights into the awe-inspiring Terracotta Warriors, while 3D reconstruction projects bring the Buddhas of Bamiyan back to life virtually.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for excavation
Dictionary Entries Near excavation
Cite this Entry
“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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