excavate

verb

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ex·ca·vate | \ ˈek-skə-ˌvāt

excavated; excavating

Definition of excavate

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about excavate

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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.

Recent Examples on the Web That is to excavate ash out of unlined pits and move it into dry, lined storage. — Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, "Other states are making utilities dig up toxic coal ash. Indiana is letting it sit there.," 11 Feb. 2021 The 29-year-old man who survived a blizzard in the Sierra last week by hunkering down in his pickup truck is seeking help to excavate the vehicle, which remains buried under several feet of snow in the wilderness. — Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tahoe blizzard survivor's truck is still stuck in deep snow - family seeking help digging it out," 5 Feb. 2021 Just before the outbreak of the World War II, a small-time archeologist was hired by a local woman to excavate her land. — Lindsey Bahr, Star Tribune, "Review: Buried treasure, impending war and loss in 'The Dig'," 13 Jan. 2021 His job had been to excavate the bomb shelters and basements to remove the rotting corpses before the entire city started to stink of human putrefaction. — Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, "The New Explosive Theory About What Doomed the Crew of the ‘Hunley’," 10 Mar. 2020 Resolution Copper will use block cave mining to excavate ore 7,000 ft underground. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "John McCain’s Apache Land Grab Is Finally Happening," 15 Jan. 2021 The wreck’s impending degradation and collapse is at the center of a controversial push by RMST to excavate artifacts from inside of the ship. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "Court Case Alleges Submarine Collision With Wreck of the Titanic Went Unreported," 5 Feb. 2020 One aspect of the agreement was a promise not to excavate the Tomb of Daniel, which locals feared would incur divine wrath. — Rue Des Archives/album, History Magazine, "This French archaeologist broke the law—by wearing pants," 17 Dec. 2020 Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James star in the story of a wealthy widow who hires an archaeologist to excavate burial mounds on her estate, uncovering history-changing treasure. — Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, "Everything new on Netflix in January: 'Cobra Kai' premieres Season 3, David Spade hosts 'Afterparty'," 17 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'excavate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.