dado

1 of 2

noun

da·​do ˈdā-(ˌ)dō 

plural dadoes

1

a

: the part of a pedestal of a column above the base

b

: the lower part of an interior wall when specially decorated or faced

also : the decoration adorning this part of a wall

2

: a rectangular groove cut to make a joint in woodworking

specifically : one cut across the grain

Illustration of dado

• 1 surbase
• 2 dado
• 3 base

dado

2 of 2

verb

dadoed; dadoing

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a dado

2

a

: to set into a groove

b

: to cut a dado in (something, such as a plank)

Examples of dado in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the primary bedroom, the dado is covered in black diamond African fabric from Aissa Dione. — Ian Phillips, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025

Next, mill a dado near the bottom edge of each side piece that will accept the bottom. — Paul Steiner, Popular Mechanics, 24 Mar. 2023

The box needed a bunch of rabbets, which are two-sided channels milled into the edge of a board (a dado is similar but has three sides). — Paul Steiner, Popular Mechanics, 24 Mar. 2023

Mark the positions of compartment dividers across the width of the bin walls, and cut the dadoes in them. — Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, 21 Mar. 2018

Cut the notches with a dado blade in the table saw, or lay out each notch and use a jigsaw to remove the waste. — Rick Peters, Popular Mechanics, 1 May 2016

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, die, plinth

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dado

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

dado

noun

da·​do

ˈdād-ō

plural dadoes

: the part of a pedestal of a column above the base