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

Prior to that time, the excavation revealed tools used by what the team has concluded is a now-extinct hominin species. —New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026

The excavation was carried out ahead of the development of East Anglia TWO and ONE North Projects, an offshore wind farm being built by ScottishPower Renewables, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026

Intrigued, Nur assumes the persona of the card’s owner to gain access to excavation sites in the West Bank, and insight into his oppressor. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Additional excavations could bring answers, Frame communicated, with the team hoping to find alters — tombstones frequently included the units soldiers belonged to. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 6 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