dado

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

Examples of dado in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The 15-amp motor (3,600 RPM) is strong enough to saw through dado or other thick materials, and it’s got a T-square, three-point locking rip fence for even easier cutting. —Barbara Bellesi Zito, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 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

Start by cutting the dados and rabbets slightly too narrow and testing the fit. —David Kaleko, Popular Science, 27 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Italian, die, plinth

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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