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

Arkeologerna worked with its parent organization, Sweden's National Historical Museums (SHM), during the excavation, which took place ahead of railway construction last fall. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Early site excavation and other construction work for the 90,000-square foot ballroom is already underway, which Trump wants to be ready by January 2029. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026

To date, La Brea Tar Pits researchers have unearthed millions of samples from the pits dating back 50,000 years and still conduct daily open-air excavations. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

The excavation of Paul Robeson complicates Robinson and Rickey and destroys, almost completely, the easy, uncomplicated tale of interracial heroism Americans have long preferred. —Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 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