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 work will include the excavation of the creek channel and the removal of invasive plants to improve water circulation and quality.
—
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024
The excavation of Anchor Church Field yielded pottery, two bone combs, and glass fragments from thin-walled drinking vessels, which the team stated were typical in the 7th to 9th centuries and are associated with high-status activity.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
When archaeologists returned to the site in the 20th century, excavations revealed ancient baths, city walls, a forum and a Greek theater.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Despite such findings, a new Iowa law signed last year by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) allows minors in that state to work in jobs previously deemed too hazardous, including in industrial laundries, light manufacturing, demolition, roofing and excavation but not slaughterhouses.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
On the first day of the excavation, the team found two skeletons, Anna Ödéen, an archaeologist with the museum, said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The recent excavations revealed numerous artifacts—including pottery, two bone combs and fragments of glass from a drinking vessel—dating to this period.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
In the excavation, archaeologists uncovered a fresco that looked – surprisingly – like a pizza.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
An excavation in Lincolnshire revealed what appears to be a sacred site
Archaeologists digging through a field in Lincolnshire, England, may have found a 1,300-year-old hermitage on the site of a much more ancient henge.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024
The excavation of Anchor Church Field yielded pottery, two bone combs, and glass fragments from thin-walled drinking vessels, which the team stated were typical in the 7th to 9th centuries and are associated with high-status activity.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
When archaeologists returned to the site in the 20th century, excavations revealed ancient baths, city walls, a forum and a Greek theater.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Despite such findings, a new Iowa law signed last year by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) allows minors in that state to work in jobs previously deemed too hazardous, including in industrial laundries, light manufacturing, demolition, roofing and excavation but not slaughterhouses.
—Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
On the first day of the excavation, the team found two skeletons, Anna Ödéen, an archaeologist with the museum, said in the release.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The recent excavations revealed numerous artifacts—including pottery, two bone combs and fragments of glass from a drinking vessel—dating to this period.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
In the excavation, archaeologists uncovered a fresco that looked – surprisingly – like a pizza.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
An excavation in Lincolnshire revealed what appears to be a sacred site
Archaeologists digging through a field in Lincolnshire, England, may have found a 1,300-year-old hermitage on the site of a much more ancient henge.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excavation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near excavation
Cite this Entry
“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share