excavation

American  

[eks-kuh-vey-shuhn] / ˌɛks kəˈveɪ ʃən /

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.

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Related Words

See hole.

Other Word Forms

• excavational
  adjective
• nonexcavation
  noun
• reexcavation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of excavation

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

Explanation

Excavation is the act or process of digging, especially when something specific is being removed from the ground. Archaeologists use excavation to find artifacts and fossils. There are many types of excavation, but they all involve digging holes in the earth. Mining for coal, gold, or diamonds all require excavation, and before buildings and houses can be built, there is often some excavation that's done before a foundation can be poured. The Latin source of excavation is excavationem, "a hollowing out," from excavare, "to hollow out," with its roots of ex-, "out," and cavare, "to hollow."

Example Sentences

“The cadaver dogs made a slight notification of possible human remains. … Excavation is ongoing and at this time, no human remains have been located,” the Atherton Police Department said.

From Washington Times • Oct. 21, 2022

Excavation has passed 40% and should be completed in May 2023, Mossey says.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 28, 2022

Excavation work at Adit 3 was possibly completed by May, it said.

From Reuters • Sep. 7, 2022

Excavation and concrete work is costly, Nice says, and prices have escalated dramatically since the start of the pandemic.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2022

It’s about a twenty-minute ride into the mountains to what Wexford-Smythe University calls the Shadbush County Excavation Site.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• dig
• mining
• removal