excavate
[ eks-kuh-veyt ]
/ ˈɛks kəˌveɪt /
verb (used with object), ex·ca·vat·ed, ex·ca·vat·ing.
to make hollow by removing the inner part; make a hole or cavity in; form into a hollow, as by digging: The ground was excavated for a foundation.
to make (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material.
to dig or scoop out (earth, sand, etc.).
to expose or lay bare by or as if by digging; unearth: to excavate an ancient city.
RELATED CONTENT
When To Capitalize “Earth”When it comes to writing, this common English word confuses many native speakers who aren’t sure whether to use Earth or earth. Why is this an issue? Earth can be either a proper noun or a common noun. In English, proper nouns (nouns which signify a particular person, place, or thing) are capitalized. Following this rule, when Earth is discussed as a specific planet or …
Nearby words
exc., excalation, excalibur, excardination, excaudate, excavate, excavation, excavation of optic disk, excavator, exceed, exceedance
Origin of excavate
Related forms
re·ex·ca·vate, verb (used with object), re·ex·ca·vat·ed, re·ex·ca·vat·ing.un·ex·ca·vat·ed, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for excavated
British Dictionary definitions for excavated
excavate
/ (ˈɛkskəˌveɪt) /
verb
to remove (soil, earth, etc) by digging; dig out
to make (a hole, cavity, or tunnel) in (solid matter) by hollowing or removing the centre or inner partto excavate a tooth
to unearth (buried objects) methodically in an attempt to discover information about the past
Derived Forms
excavation, nounWord Origin for excavate
C16: from Latin excavāre, from cavāre to make hollow, from cavus hollow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012