excavation
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the act of digging a hole or removing earth, especially to find something hidden underground.
the systematic act of digging or scooping out earth or other material to create a cavity or reveal buried structures.
Simple“The excavation of the site took several months because the ground was very hard.”
In context“Large-scale excavation began shortly after the surveyors identified the optimal location for the new building's foundations.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a place where scientists dig to find old buildings, bones, or objects from the past.
the scientific unearthing of historical remains; also refers to the site where such archaeological work is performed.
Simple“Archaeologists found ancient gold coins during the excavation of the Roman villa.”
In context“The excavation revealed a series of interconnected chambers that provided new insights into the daily lives of the city's medieval inhabitants.”
UsageOften used with the definite article when referring to a specific site.
Synonymsdigarchaeological site - 03 C1 Advanced
the actual hole or hollow space left in the ground after digging.
the physical cavity, trench, or hollow area resulting from the removal of earth or stone.
Simple“Rainwater quickly filled the deep excavation, turning the construction site into a muddy pool.”
In context“Safety inspectors demanded that the deep excavation be reinforced with timber supports to prevent the surrounding soil from collapsing.”
“The method is quick and non-destructive and can map structures below ground without excavation.”
“During excavations conducted between November and December 2025, a team led by Núria Castellano uncovered a Roman-era mummy in Tomb 65 of Sector 22.”
From Latin excavātiō (“a hollowing out”), from excavō (“I hollow out”), from ex + cavō (“I hollow out”), from cavus (“hollow”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (“vault, hole”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.