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

Any writing is created from excavation: columns out of the dead ground. —Joanna Walsh june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025

Once the excavations are complete, the archaeologists will transport the grave’s contents to a laboratory in Tromsø for further documentation and testing. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2025

The Department of Antiquities in Cyprus shared a Facebook post about the latest excavation on April 28. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025

The Gordion site has proved fruitful for archeologists for 75 years, since Penn Museum began leading excavations there in 1950. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 13 June 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