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 city's Streets Department said plowing and salting operations remain ongoing, with more than 200 dump trucks, excavators and loaders deployed across Philadelphia. —Eva Andersen, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

The city uses other heavy machinery like skid steers and small excavators to clear roads, said James Caldwell, deputy director of public works. —Jeff Martin, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

It is involved in infrastructure support, manufacturing heavy equipment (like excavators, loaders, forklifts through Doosan Bobcat), power generation (turbines, generators), water treatment (desalination), and advanced materials (electronics, fuel cells). —Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

As the fire spread, the city said parts of the building collapsed, forcing crews to bring in an excavator to demolish sections of the structure and fully extinguish the flames. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 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