noun
excavation
ehks-kuh-VAYSHN
noun
1
The act of digging out earth to create a hole, trench, or foundation.
"Excavation for the new tunnel took almost a year."
2
An archaeological dig, or the site where one is taking place.
"The excavation revealed pottery dating back two thousand years."
3
A hollow or pit produced by digging.
"Rainwater collected in the excavation overnight."
How to Use Excavation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of digging something out, or the hole/site left behind.
Common pairings
archaeological excavation
excavation site
carry out an excavation
Word Forms
excavations plural
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_____ for the new tunnel took almost a year.
Etymology
From Latin excavatio, "a hollowing out," built on excavare (see "excavate").