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

To minimize exposure to Valley fever, follow these tips from the CDC: Avoid dusty areas, such as construction or excavation sites. —Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2025

The exact death total will never be known, but archaeologists have tallied around 1,300 victims in their excavations so far. —Andrew Paul Aug 7, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2025

The Dig That Changed Everything The Jorvik Viking Center exists thanks to one of the most significant urban excavations in British history. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Per the statement, earlier excavations had revealed arrowheads at the cave site, but archaeologists were unsure whether these weapons were funerary goods or projectiles responsible for fatal injuries. —Aurora Martínez, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 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