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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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 14 Dec. 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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