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

Satellite imagery and videos from after the April 16 ceasefire announcement show demolitions continuing apace, with excavators and armored vehicles clearly visible. —Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

Photographs taken on April 12 by AP from the towns of Menara and Misgav Am in northern Israel show excavators and bulldozers destroying homes on the Lebanese side of the border. —ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

The truck began to roll backward down the hill, the MNPD said, and the worker was unable to brake and move away from Stephen Mattson, who was operating an excavator at the bottom of the hill. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

The Basics In addition to tractors, mowers, mini excavators, and skid steers, Kubota sells a handful of UTVs. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 8 Apr. 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