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
adjective
ˌek-skə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl
-shə-nᵊl
Examples of excavation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On the first day of the excavation, the team found two skeletons, Anna Ödéen, an archaeologist with the museum, said in the release.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The recent excavations revealed numerous artifacts—including pottery, two bone combs and fragments of glass from a drinking vessel—dating to this period.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
In the excavation, archaeologists uncovered a fresco that looked – surprisingly – like a pizza.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
An excavation in Lincolnshire revealed what appears to be a sacred site
Archaeologists digging through a field in Lincolnshire, England, may have found a 1,300-year-old hermitage on the site of a much more ancient henge.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
But if villagers can identify where a sculpture or object once stood, Cambodia can conduct an excavation to look for physical proof of looting — a fragment or plinth or limb left behind like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Unearthed Meanwhile, new excavations of Pompeii have revealed the site of a home renovation that was likely occurring when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
In the weeks to come, the researchers would alert government authorities and designate the area as an official excavation site to ward off potential treasure hunters.
—Rafael Vilela, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Join 6 others in the comments View Comments More recent excavations have, however, centered on the tombs of great statesmen, priests and administrators from same eras.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2024
The recent excavations revealed numerous artifacts—including pottery, two bone combs and fragments of glass from a drinking vessel—dating to this period.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
In the excavation, archaeologists uncovered a fresco that looked – surprisingly – like a pizza.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
An excavation in Lincolnshire revealed what appears to be a sacred site
Archaeologists digging through a field in Lincolnshire, England, may have found a 1,300-year-old hermitage on the site of a much more ancient henge.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
But if villagers can identify where a sculpture or object once stood, Cambodia can conduct an excavation to look for physical proof of looting — a fragment or plinth or limb left behind like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Unearthed Meanwhile, new excavations of Pompeii have revealed the site of a home renovation that was likely occurring when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 30 Mar. 2024
In the weeks to come, the researchers would alert government authorities and designate the area as an official excavation site to ward off potential treasure hunters.
—Rafael Vilela, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024
Join 6 others in the comments View Comments More recent excavations have, however, centered on the tombs of great statesmen, priests and administrators from same eras.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'excavation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near excavation
Cite this Entry
“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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