excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce excavation (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During recent excavations at the Xiejiahe village site, a joint team from the Xianyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the School of Cultural Heritage at Northwest University uncovered nearly an acre of land, according to a June 5 news release from the organizations. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 The Queen Station site will involve the excavation of over 100,000 cubic meters (about 3.5 million cubic feet) of dirt and rock to construct a platform located 40 meters (over 130 feet) beneath street level. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025 Especially as paleontologists further hone their skills and as excavation becomes a global affair in places where the climate makes for much better preservation potential. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2025 The excavations have been jointly conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excavation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of excavation was circa 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

excavation

noun
ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce excavation (audio)
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 How to pronounce excavation (audio)
1
: the action or process of excavating
2
: a cavity formed by or as if by cutting, digging, or scooping
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!