davenport

noun

dav·​en·​port ˈda-vᵊn-ˌpȯrt How to pronounce davenport (audio)
ˈda-vᵊm-
1
: a small compact writing desk
2
: a large upholstered sofa often convertible into a bed

Examples of davenport in a Sentence

we seated ourselves on the davenport while we waited for him to get ready
Recent Examples on the Web A decade later, the rollicking races were inspired by a different davenport, an eponym for a large, upholstered sofa like those manufactured by the A.H. Davenport Co. furniture company in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. oregonlive, 30 July 2022 Especially if your grandparents liked wall-to-wall gray wool carpeting, dark colonial-style furniture and the odd splash of color from a banana-leaf patterned davenport – or a loud Hawaiian bowling shirt. Mark Gauert, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'davenport.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from the name Davenport

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of davenport was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near davenport

Davenant

davenport

Davenport

Cite this Entry

“Davenport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/davenport. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

davenport

noun
dav·​en·​port ˈdav-ən-ˌpō(ə)rt How to pronounce davenport (audio)
ˈdav-ᵊm-,
-pȯ(ə)rt
: a large upholstered sofa

Geographical Definition

Davenport

geographical name

Dav·​en·​port ˈda-vən-ˌpȯrt How to pronounce Davenport (audio)
city on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa population 99,685

Biographical Definition

Davenport

biographical name

Dav·​en·​port ˈda-vən-ˌpȯrt How to pronounce Davenport (audio)
ˈda-vᵊm-
John 1597–1670 American (English-born) clergyman and founder of New Haven colony

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