excavate
verb (used with object)
to make hollow by removing the inner part; make a hole or cavity in; form into a hollow, as by digging.
excavating
-
present participleof excavate.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nepal rescuers are still excavating hydropower tunnels swamped by freezing mud, with hundreds of workers among the missing.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Some of the more experienced miners are deep in holes excavating the earth and drilling at rocks with the same goal.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
In addition to excavating the property, investigators have seized financial records, adoption records and business records.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
It would require combat troops to secure perimeters, engineers with excavating equipment to search through debris and check for mines and booby traps, and special-operations forces with expertise in handling nuclear material.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026
At 9:00 a.m., when I reached the Camp One site, Ang Dorje,* our climbing sirdar,t was excavating platforms for our tents in the hard-frozen snow slope.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
