excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce excavation (audio)
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 The vessels were unearthed nearly two decades ago during excavations at Cotzumalhuapa, one of the largest southern Mesoamerican cities during the Late Classic Period (around 650 to 950 C.E.). Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 The plan calls for removal of additional water that gushes into mining pits during excavation. Russ Bynum, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Only a carefully orchestrated excavation can tell us for sure. Discover Staff, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Previous excavations at the Żagań-Lutnia5 site have taken place, including in 1990 when part of the site was transformed into a sewage collector. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The house was a catalyst for a broad historical excavation, Hodge said, connecting Hagerstown with trends and events of national significance. Abigail Gruskin, Baltimore Sun, 2 Feb. 2024 See what was found inside Archaeologists knew about the burial site before the excavation, according to a Feb. 26 news release from the Katona József Museum. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Next up is work to complete the excavation, as well as cleaning and analyzing bone material, Langbein told CNN. Jack Guy, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Detectives were able to recover 99.9% of the remains during the Wednesday excavation of the burial site, said Volusia Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood at a news conference on Thursday. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 29 Feb. 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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of excavation was circa 1611

Dictionary Entries Near excavation

Cite this Entry

“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

excavation

noun
ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce excavation (audio)
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 How to pronounce excavation (audio)
1
: the action or process of excavating
2
: a cavity formed by or as if by cutting, digging, or scooping
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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