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 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

Last year, excavators in Hippos found a 1,600-year-old Christian care facility for the elderly, which is possibly the world's oldest nursing home. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026

On Monday, cranes and demolition excavators tore down the exhibition hall closest to the Omni Hotel, dismembering parts of the building that will eventually unlock 20 to 30 acres for redevelopment and a new events facility. —Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 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