Dictionary

excavate

verb ex·ca·vate \ˈek-skə-ˌvāt\

: to uncover (something) by digging away and removing the earth that covers it

: to dig a large hole in (something)

: to form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging

ex·ca·vat·edex·ca·vat·ing

Full Definition of EXCAVATE

transitive verb
1
:  to form a cavity or hole in
2
:  to form by hollowing out
3
:  to dig out and remove
4
:  to expose to view by or as if by digging away a covering <excavate the remains of a temple>
intransitive verb
:  to make excavations
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Origin of EXCAVATE

Latin excavatus, past participle of excavare, from ex- + cavare to make hollow — more at cavatina
First Known Use: 1599

Related to EXCAVATE

Other Mining and Drilling Terms

ore, trepan, wildcat

Rhymes with EXCAVATE

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EXCAVATE Defined for Kids

excavate

verb ex·ca·vate \ˈek-skə-ˌvāt\
ex·ca·vat·edex·ca·vat·ing

Definition of EXCAVATE for Kids

1
:  to expose to view by digging away a covering <They've excavated an ancient city.>
2
:  to hollow out :  form a hole in <Workers excavated the side of a hill.>
3
:  to make by hollowing out <We must excavate a tunnel.>
4
:  to dig out and remove <Miners excavate diamonds.>
Medical Dictionary

excavate

verb ex·ca·vate \ˈek-skə-ˌvāt\
ex·ca·vat·edex·ca·vat·ing

Medical Definition of EXCAVATE

transitive verb
:  to form a cavity or hole in <an excavated wisdom tooth>
intransitive verb
:  to make excavations or become hollowed out <an area of infarction in soft tissue often tends to excavate>

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