Definition of excavate
excavated
;excavating
transitive verb
1 : to form a cavity or hole in
2 : to form by hollowing out
3 : to dig out and remove
4 : to expose to view by or as if by digging away a covering excavate the remains of a temple
intransitive verb
: to make excavations
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Examples of excavate in a Sentence
They excavated an ancient city.
It is the first site to be excavated in this area.
They began excavating the backyard for their new pool.
The excess dirt was carefully excavated.
Origin and Etymology of excavate
Latin excavatus, past participle of excavare, from ex- + cavare to make hollow — more at cavatina
First Known Use: 1599
EXCAVATE Defined for English Language Learners
excavate
playDefinition of excavate for English Language Learners
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: to uncover (something) by digging away and removing the earth that covers it
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: to dig a large hole in (something)
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: to form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
EXCAVATE Defined for Kids
excavate
playDefinition of excavate for Students
excavated
;excavating
1 : to expose to view by digging away a covering They've excavated an ancient city.
2 : to hollow out : form a hole in Workers excavated the side of a hill.
3 : to make by hollowing out We must excavate a tunnel.
4 : to dig out and remove Miners excavate diamonds.
Medical Dictionary
excavate
playMedical Definition of excavate
excavated
;excavating
transitive verb
: to form a cavity or hole in an excavated wisdom toothintransitive verb
: to make excavations or become hollowed out an area of infarction in soft tissue often tends to excavate
Learn More about excavate
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See words that rhyme with excavate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for excavate Spanish Central: Translation of excavate Nglish: Translation of excavate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of excavate for Arabic speakers
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