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Excavation: meaning, definitions and examples

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excavation

 

[ ˌɛkskəˈveɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

archaeological site

The action or process of excavating, or of making hollow by cutting or digging; a cavity made by cutting or digging; a trench; a hole made by digging; as, an excavation for a cellar, for a canal, or for a railroad.

Synonyms

dig, digging, excavating

Examples of usage

  • Archaeologists made an exciting discovery during the excavation of the ancient city.
  • The excavation revealed ancient artifacts dating back to the Roman Empire.
Context #2 | Noun

construction site

The act of excavating, or of making hollow by cutting or digging out a part of a solid mass.

Synonyms

dig, digging, excavating

Examples of usage

  • The construction crew began the excavation for the new building's foundation.
  • The excavation for the underground parking garage was completed ahead of schedule.
Context #3 | Noun

medical context

The act or process of removing or separating solids from liquids or gases by causing the former to percolate through a porous substance; the act of sifting, as of air, snow, or sand.

Synonyms

filtering, separating, sifting

Examples of usage

  • The excavation of the lungs is a crucial part of the diagnostic process for certain respiratory diseases.
  • The excavation of the soil sample revealed traces of contamination.

Translations

Translations of the word "excavation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escavação

🇮🇳 खुदाई

🇩🇪 Ausgrabung

🇮🇩 penggalian

🇺🇦 розкопки

🇵🇱 wykopaliska

🇯🇵 発掘 (hakkutsu)

🇫🇷 excavation

🇪🇸 excavación

🇹🇷 kazı

🇰🇷 발굴 (balgul)

🇸🇦 تنقيب

🇨🇿 vykopávky

🇸🇰 výkop

🇨🇳 挖掘 (wājué)

🇸🇮 izkopavanje

🇮🇸 uppgröftur

🇰🇿 қазба

🇬🇪 გათხრა

🇦🇿 qazıntı

🇲🇽 excavación

Etymology

The word 'excavation' originates from the Latin word 'excavatio', which is derived from the verb 'excavare', meaning 'to hollow out'. The concept of excavation has been vital throughout human history, from the archaeological digs that uncover our past to the construction projects that shape our modern world. Excavation techniques have evolved over time, from manual labor with shovels and pickaxes to advanced machinery like excavators and bulldozers. The practice of excavation continues to play a crucial role in various fields, from archaeology to construction and beyond.

See also: excavating, excavator.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,300 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.