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

The dredge is conducted by crane and excavator barges that dig sand up and deposit it in another barge. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026

On June 18, the man drove a pickup truck and trailer to a construction site to unload an excavator. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 26 June 2026

The 48-year-old Livermore man was charged with grand theft of a skid steer, an excavator, and two trailers for both items, totaling around $128,000, court records show. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

Sany, which focused on excavators and construction machines for decades, only expanded into electric vehicles five years ago, Yue said. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 22 June 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