excavator
noun
ex·ca·va·tor ˈek-skə-ˌvā-tər 
: one that excavates
especially : a power-operated shovel
Example Sentences
The excavators found ancient tools at the site.
Recent Examples on the Web As the meeting unfolded, an excavator building the controversial trail chugged across the mountainside in the distance. 
Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 Police said no injuries were reported and no crashes occurred while the excavator was being illegally operated. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 Aug. 2022 An excavator made contact with the line, damaging it and releasing flammable gas into the air. oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2022 Construction crews and an excavator were seen working around the sinkhole Monday morning. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Kids were able to climb aboard large vehicles, including a fire truck and an excavator. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 In Spain, shocking video emerged this week of a man in the northwestern town of Tábara forced to jump from an excavator after trying to dig a trench to safeguard his town from a wildfire. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 19 July 2022 As troopers struggled with Brandon, Wayne allegedly hopped into an excavator and started swinging the bucket at the officers. Rachel Paik, Fox News, 28 June 2022 The crews uncovered a mastodon skeleton during a road construction project in Kent County on Thursday afternoon, per MLive.com, after an excavator operator noticed something red in the soil. Jason Duaine Hahn, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 See More
Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 Police said no injuries were reported and no crashes occurred while the excavator was being illegally operated. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 Aug. 2022 An excavator made contact with the line, damaging it and releasing flammable gas into the air. oregonlive, 28 Aug. 2022 Construction crews and an excavator were seen working around the sinkhole Monday morning. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Kids were able to climb aboard large vehicles, including a fire truck and an excavator. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 In Spain, shocking video emerged this week of a man in the northwestern town of Tábara forced to jump from an excavator after trying to dig a trench to safeguard his town from a wildfire. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 19 July 2022 As troopers struggled with Brandon, Wayne allegedly hopped into an excavator and started swinging the bucket at the officers. Rachel Paik, Fox News, 28 June 2022 The crews uncovered a mastodon skeleton during a road construction project in Kent County on Thursday afternoon, per MLive.com, after an excavator operator noticed something red in the soil. Jason Duaine Hahn, Peoplemag, 15 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
excavate + -or entry 1
First Known Use
circa 1815, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
excavator
noun
ex·ca·va·tor ˈek-skə-ˌvāt-ər
: an instrument used to open bodily cavities (as in the teeth) or remove material from them