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 

adjective

Examples of excavation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The excavation created a mountain of clay soil — an inconvenience for most people, but a building block for a contractor who understood the site’s potential. —David Caraccio may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026

So Smith started a lawn-mowing business, worked for his parents’ excavation company, saved up, and bought a grinder. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 May 2026

Even after hundreds of years of excavations, around a third of Pompeii still lies buried beneath volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. —Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 22 May 2026

Tour an ancient Viking excavation site at Dublin Castle, just a short walk from Trinity College. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2026

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