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.
were excavating
-
past progressiveof excavate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
They noticed fossils on the surface and were excavating to try and find the source.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2024
When Ivory discussed these data with Yale University paleoanthropologist Jessica Thompson and her colleagues, who were excavating nearby archaeological sites along the northern shores of the lake, an explanation came into focus: human activity.
From Scientific American ● May 5, 2021
Workers with scarves tied around their heads were excavating four-meter grids with hand trowels, one 10-centimeter layer at a time.
From New York Times ● Mar. 4, 2021
The crews were excavating the future site of a 15-story apartment and office tower across from the new Westwood Shopping Center.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 23, 2017
Going down C Street one day I stopped to look at some workmen who were excavating for the foundation of a house.
From Emerson's Wife and Other Western Stories by Florence Finch Kelly
