excavation
[eks-kuh-vey-shuh n]
- a hole or cavity made by excavating.
- the act of excavating.
- an area in which excavating has been done or is in progress, as an archaeological site.
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Origin of excavation
Synonyms
See more synonyms for excavation on Thesaurus.com1. See hole.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for excavation
Contemporary Examples
Jenkins had written entirely from secondary literature—no interviews or excavation of legal documents.
I was writing an article for Outside, whose expense money helped finance the excavation.
He, not Hylton, the author of Vanished, is the one who has done most of the research on the pilots and their excavation process.
Will These Men Ever Come Home? The Search for Missing WWII Pilots in “Vanished”Jordan Michael Smith
November 14, 2013
Hundreds of years of excavation has left seven gorgeous chambers carved into the salt rock throughout the floors.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Is an Incredible Polish Underground Amusement ParkNina Strochlic
November 14, 2013
“He is in a row,” says Erin Kimmerle, an associate professor of anthropology with USF, who is leading the excavation.
Historical Examples
The lode descends steeply, and the excavation must follow its course.
Hittel on Gold Mines and MiningJohn S. Hittell
If it be as you suspect, I will know their reasons for making this excavation.
The PioneersJames Fenimore Cooper
As the tunnel was deepened a new method of excavation was employed.
My Studio NeighborsWilliam Hamilton Gibson
Soon after, I descended from the tree, and went to the excavation.
The Arabian NightsUnknown
And it was Togi's excavation which brought Shann a first ray of hope.
Storm Over WarlockAndre Norton
Word Origin and History for excavation
n.
1610s, "action of excavating," from Latin excavationem (nominative excavatio) "a hollowing out," noun of action from past participle stem of excavare (see excavate).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
excavation
(ĕk′skə-vā′shən)- A natural cavity, pouch, or recess.
- A cavity formed artificially or as the result of a pathological process.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.