excavator

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tor ˈek-skə-ˌvā-tər 

: one that excavates

especially : a power-operated shovel

Examples of excavator in a Sentence

The excavators found ancient tools at the site.

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the deployment of excavators, a CCTV video report showed a search dog barking to alert a rescuer about signs of life. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

The growth of the dinosaur fossil market has created a new ecosystem of dealers, excavators, and specialists. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026

Many extraordinary fossils have been found by ranchers, hikers, amateur collectors and commercial excavators. — Kristi Curry Rogers, The Conversation, 14 July 2026

The excavators also unearthed bread ovens, kitchens, and grain-grinding installations. — Anne Doran For Artnews, Robb Report, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

excavate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excavator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Medical Definition

excavator

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tor ˈek-skə-ˌvāt-ər 

: an instrument used to open bodily cavities (as in the teeth) or remove material from them