Search Dictionary
Definition of davao

davao

/dəˈvaʊ/
Da · vao
JUMP TO:

davao Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A major, highly urbanized city located in the southeastern part of Mindanao island in the Philippines, serving as the commercial and administrative center of the region.

2

An administrative region in the Philippines, officially known as Davao Region, encompassing the southeastern portion of Mindanao and several adjacent gulfs and islands.

Example

"The coastal waters of Davao are rich in marine biodiversity, supporting local fishing communities."

• Rhymes for davao

• Nearby Words

dauntlessly
dauntlessness
dauphin
davao
davenport
davies creek
davies creek falls

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the phonetic blending of the names given to the Davao River by three indigenous Bagobo subgroups: the aboriginal Obos called it 'Davoh', the Clatta called it 'Dawaw', and the Tagabawa called it 'Dabo'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Davao. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/davao
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.