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 Words From

• exca·vation·al adjective
• nonex·ca·vation noun
• reex·ca·vation 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

But the council has refused to allow this, previously saying the excavation was "not possible" under its licencing permit and "excavation itself would have a huge environmental impact on the surrounding area".

From BBC

It also requires consents from the Environment Agency "for water management, excavation below the water table and similar things".

From BBC

“I only get one chance to make my first movie and I really want to say something. That was when the real excavation began.”

From Los Angeles Times

In mid-August, crews working on Regent’s slide discovered new cracks in the slope where excavation and construction were underway, halting repairs, an August update from Caltrans said.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he had many moments over a two-week excavation where he thought he had discovered something, only for experts to tell him he had a knack for finding "shiny pebbles".

From BBC

Related Words

• dig
• mining
• removal