excavation

[eks-kuh-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. a hole or cavity made by excavating.

2. the act of excavating.

3. an area in which excavating has been done or is in progress, as an archaeological site.

Other Word Forms

• excavational adjective
• nonexcavation noun
• reexcavation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of excavation¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Latin excavātiōn- (stem of excavātiō ) “a hollowing.” See excavate, -ion

Synonym Study

See hole.

Example Sentences

The project’s genesis as an excavation of found material hints at concepts having to do with forgotten technology and lost futures, yet the emotional appeal of the music is palpable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But amazing advances in underwater discovery and excavation technology have made the finding and recovery of even the most seemingly inaccessible wrecks more possible than previously thought.

Read more on Literature

The excavation comes after another fin whale stranded on the Cornish coast on Monday.

Read more on BBC

The plan includes a new entrance at the eastern end of the Louvre, and the excavation of new exhibition spaces including a separate gallery for the Mona Lisa.

Read more on BBC

Much has already been made of Hawke’s performance, which required a physical transformation alongside the actor’s emotional excavation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dig 
• mining 
• removal