excavator

[ eks-kuh-vey-ter ]
/ ˈɛks kəˌveɪ tər /

noun

a person or thing that excavates.
a power-driven machine for digging, moving, or transporting loose gravel, sand, or soil.
a sharp, spoonlike instrument used for scraping out diseased tissue, as in dentistry.

Origin of excavator

First recorded in 1805–15; excavate + -or2

Example sentences from the Web for excavator

British Dictionary definitions for excavator

excavator
/ (ˈɛkskəˌveɪtə) /

noun

a powered machine for digging earth, gravel, sand, etc, esp a caterpillar tractor so equipped
any person, animal, or thing that excavates

Medical definitions for excavator

excavator
[ ĕkskə-vā′tər ]

n.

An instrument, such as a sharp spoon or curette, used in scraping out pathological tissue.