noun
Uncommon
excavation
ehks-kuh-VAYSHN
Excavation (noun) means the act of digging out earth to create a hole, trench, or foundation. Example: “Excavation for the new tunnel took almost a year.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- excavations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ for the new tunnel took almost a year.
Etymology
From Latin excavatio, "a hollowing out," built on excavare (see "excavate").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for excavation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for excavation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “excavation” mean?
The word “excavation” means the act of digging out earth to create a hole, trench, or foundation. In plain terms, the act of digging something out, or the hole/site left behind.
How do you pronounce “excavation”?
“Excavation” is pronounced ehks-kuh-VAYSHN (/ˌɛkskəˈveɪʃn/ in IPA).
How do you use “excavation” in a sentence?
Here is “excavation” used in a sentence: “Excavation for the new tunnel took almost a year.”
What part of speech is “excavation”?
“Excavation” is a noun.
Where does the word “excavation” come from?
The word “excavation” comes from Latin. From Latin excavatio, "a hollowing out," built on excavare (see "excavate").
Is “excavation” a common word?
“Excavation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “excavation” have?
“Excavation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of digging out earth to create a hole, trench, or foundation.
