excavator

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tor ˈek-skə-ˌvā-tər 

: one that excavates

especially : a power-operated shovel

Examples of excavator in a Sentence

The excavators found ancient tools at the site.

Recent Examples on the Web

Economists call this an example of capital deepening, or when workers gain access to better tools and their individual productivity rises as a result—like when a construction worker trades in a shovel for a mechanical excavator. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 27 May 2026

The criminal complaint says dispatchers could hear yelling and the sound of the excavator during the 911 call. —Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 27 May 2026

Public works crews reportedly arrived with an excavator, while several holes could be seen across the more than 5-acre property where digging had taken place, the outlet reported. —Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026

Using an excavator, Artur dug Nate’s coffin up. —Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

excavate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for excavator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Medical Definition

excavator

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tor ˈek-skə-ˌvāt-ər 

: an instrument used to open bodily cavities (as in the teeth) or remove material from them