excavation

noun

ex·​ca·​va·​tion ˌek-skə-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce excavation (audio)
Synonyms of excavationnext
1
: the action or process of excavating
2
: a cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping
excavational
ˌek-skə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce excavation (audio)
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.
The teams concentrated their excavation on that single signal and brought him out alive—one of the rescues that gave a grieving country a reason to keep digging. — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 It was found outside the northeast corner of the Alamo Church, in an adjacent excavation unit where another intact cannonball was unearthed in March. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Authorities say a subcontracted excavation company was working ahead of the installation of a sanitary sewer line at the time of the incident. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 2 July 2026 The search for McKinney’s remains began in earnest in 2022, when nine DPAA specialists arrived at the crash site to begin excavations. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 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

Rhymes for excavation

See All Rhymes for excavation

Browse Nearby Words

excavate
excavation
excavator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excavation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excavation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
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