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

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of excavation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At Cairo, the Nile’s canyon was discovered during excavations for the Aswan Dam. —Elizabeth Fernandez, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025

Before the most recent excavation, archaeologists had found 17 of these tombs. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Jackson is currently working on a pond excavation video showing updates over time as the site develops. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 30 Aug. 2025

The number of lots in various stages of development increased almost 8% from a year ago, with something on the order of 400,000 alone in the excavation stage. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

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