excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the action or process of excavating

2

: a cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping

excavational

ˌek-skə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Examples of excavation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Detective work Not unlike an archeological dig, the work of restoring the 19th century Victorian hotel required meticulous excavation and a fair amount of detective work as construction workers peeled back layers of changes over subsequent decades. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Decades after an ancient site was discovered in northern France, recent excavations have revealed Roman influences — and a surprising occupant. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

Researchers noted that the 2006 excavation identified a timber structure with a latrine inside. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

The ancient Roman city of Pompeii was buried under ash and volcanic glass during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and, since the 1700s, archaeologists have been unearthing the city that’s been frozen in time in a large, ongoing excavation. —Amarachi Orie, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin excavātiōn-, excavātiō, from excavāre "to hollow out, excavate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the act or process of excavating

2

: a hollowed-out place formed by excavating

Medical Definition

excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən 

1

: the action or process of excavating

2

: a cavity formed by or as if by cutting, digging, or scooping