Ex'ca-vā'tion, n.
n. [Lat. excavatio, Fr. excavation, It. escavazione.]
Sense 1. The act of excavating or of making hollow, by cutting, wearing, or scooping out the interior substance or part of a thing.
Sense 2. A hollow or cavity formed by removing the interior. “A winding excavation.” Glover.
Sense 3. (Engin.) An uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel.