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.
excavated
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past participleof excavate.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof excavate.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
excavateverb (used with object)to make hollow by removing the inner part; make a hole or cavity in; form into a hollow, as by digging.
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.
The fossil was excavated from Upper Cretaceous rock layers in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
The fossil containing the two crocodile relatives was excavated in 1948.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
On Thursday, workers excavated a 3-by 4-foot area to find the source of the water, plugged the leak and resumed preparing the street to open.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Gus was discovered in South Dakota’s fossil-rich Hell Creek Formation and excavated between 2021 and 2023, followed by three years of lab work to prep, assemble, and mount the bones.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Moseley believes that Aspero, which has never been fully excavated, is older than the other cities, and set the template for them.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
