ex·cav·ationBrE /ˌekskəˈveɪʃn/ 🔊NAmE /ˌekskəˈveɪʃn/ 🔊 noun [countable, uncountable] the activity of digging in the ground to look for old buildings or objects that have been buried for a long time （对古建筑或古物的）发掘，挖掘 [countable, usually plural] a place where people are digging to look for old buildings or objects 发掘现场◆The excavations are open to the public. 发掘现场对公众开放。🔊🔊 [uncountable] the act of digging, especially with a machine 挖掘；开凿；挖土