excavation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of digging
    dig; digging.
    • there's an interesting excavation going on near Princeton
  2. noun the site of an archeological exploration
    dig; archeological site.
    • they set up camp next to the dig
  3. noun a hole in the ground made by excavating
  4. noun the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth
    mining.

WordNet

Ex`ca*va"tion noun
Etymology
L. excavatio: cf. F. excavation.
Definitions
  1. The act of excavating, or of making hollow, by cutting, scooping, or digging out a part of a solid mass.
  2. A cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping. "A winding excavation." Glover.
  3. (Engin.) (a) An uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel. (b) The material dug out in making a channel or cavity.
    The delivery of the excavations at a distance of 250 feet. E. L. Corthell.

Webster 1913