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 company says excavators can account for about 25% of a contractor's fleet. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Five excavators, compressors and breakers were doing the heavy lifting to bring rescuers closer to any possible survival zone. — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

In 2024, Attanasio’s construction team was accused of using excavators to dig up sand from Broad Beach and carry it back to his property as part of a beachfront development. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Showing footage of rescue teams and excavators, CCTV said crews equipped with life-detection devices and search dogs had been ⁠deployed to the area. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 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