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

Whether the tunnel truly leads to Cleopatra’s resting place remains unknown, but the excavation offers a rare opportunity to revisit one of history’s most enduring mysteries, and possibly bring Egypt’s last queen closer to the surface once more. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025

Researchers uncovered the ice storage bunker while conducting the seventeenth excavation survey of Busosanseong Fortress located about 90 miles south of Seoul in South Chungcheong Province. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025

An excavation in Turkey has yielded not just artifacts — it's yielded millennia-old recipes that are bringing the flavors of Ancient Rome back to life. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025

The fossils were found during excavations between 2019 and 2021 by a team led by coauthor Louise Leakey. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 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