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

The entire project, including demolition, excavation, landscaping repairs and the installation of garden beds, cost roughly $15,500. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

Several artifacts from the excavation will go on display at Nijmegen City Hall beginning June 29, offering residents a glimpse into the city’s rich Roman history and its status as one of the most important Roman centers in the Netherlands. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 20 June 2026

An excavation process begins as Chiron enters Taurus. —Usa Today, USA Today, 19 June 2026

One image shows a medieval pottery fragment recovered during the excavation, one of several ceramics unearthed beneath Notre Dame. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 June 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