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

Sotheby’s specialist Cassandra Hatton worked closely with Cooper from the day of discovery to document the entire process, from excavation and restoration to preparation and mounting. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 July 2024

The skeleton was discovered on private land in Moffat County, Colorado -- in northwestern Colorado and on the border with Utah and Wyoming -- in May 2022 by commercial paleontologist Jason Cooper, with excavation completed in 2023, according to Sotheby's. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 17 July 2024

The first dozen mini excavations revealed mostly twentieth-century crap—aluminum cans, part of a sink, a 1947 dime. —Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024

The excavation took place in Ghisonaccia, Corsica, and ended in December, the institute said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 10 July 2024

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

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