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

Jiang and her team extracted samples from several human teeth uncovered during excavations at Jerash in the 1980s and analyzed them using two technologies. —Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 28 Feb. 2026

The fossils were collected between 2021 and 2024 — years of meticulous excavation and study. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026

The group will begin with three levels of below-grade excavation for the project’s underground parking garage. —Nick Wooten, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

Colayera also suggested checking out the Acropolis Museum, home to a collection of artifacts discovered during archaeological excavations of the site. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 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