Main Entry: ex·ca·vate

Pronunciation: \ˈek-skə-ˌvāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ex·ca·vat·ed; ex·ca·vat·ing

transitive verb

: to form a cavity or hole in <an excavated wisdom tooth>

intransitive verb

: to make excavations or become hollowed out <an area of infarction in soft tissue often tends to excavate>