noun
excavator
EHKS-kuh-vay-tuh
Excavator (noun) means a large machine, usually on tracks, used to dig earth. Example: “An excavator cleared the ground before the building work began.”
noun
1
A large machine, usually on tracks, used to dig earth.
"An excavator cleared the ground before the building work began."
2
A person who carries out excavation, especially at an archaeological site.
"The lead excavator catalogued every artifact found in the trench."
How to use excavator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the digging machine or the person doing the digging.
Common pairings
mechanical excavator
hire an excavator
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Word forms
- Plural
- excavators
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ cleared the ground before the building work began.
Etymology
From excavate + the agent suffix -or.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for excavator
See all rhymes for excavator →Frequently asked questions
What does “excavator” mean?
The word “excavator” means a large machine, usually on tracks, used to dig earth. In plain terms, either the digging machine or the person doing the digging.
How do you pronounce “excavator”?
“Excavator” is pronounced EHKS-kuh-vay-tuh (/ˈɛkskəˌveɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “excavator” in a sentence?
Here is “excavator” used in a sentence: “An excavator cleared the ground before the building work began.”
What part of speech is “excavator”?
“Excavator” is a noun.
How many meanings does “excavator” have?
“Excavator” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large machine, usually on tracks, used to dig earth.
