Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Excavation \Ex`ca*va"tion\, n. [L. excavatio: cf. F.
   excavation.]
   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.

Source : WordNet®

excavation
     n 1: the act of digging; "there's an interesting excavation going
          on near Princeton" [syn: {digging}, {dig}]
     2: the site of an archeological exploration; "they set up camp
        next to the dig" [syn: {dig}, {archeological site}]
     3: a hole in the ground made by excavating [syn: {hole in the
        ground}]
     4: the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth [syn:
        {mining}]