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Definition of mojave

mojave

/moʊˈhɑːvi/
Mo · ja · ve

Plural:Mojaves
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mojave Lexical Profile

• noun

1

North American A vast, arid desert region in the southwestern United States, primarily located in southeastern California and extending into Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.

Example

"The Joshua tree is an iconic plant species uniquely adapted to the harsh climate of the Mojave."


2

North American A member of an indigenous Native American people traditionally residing along the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert.

Example

"The Mojave have a rich cultural history deeply tied to the Colorado River and the surrounding desert landscape."


3

North American The Yuman language spoken by the Mojave people.

Example

"Linguists and tribal elders are working together to preserve Mojave and teach it to younger generations."

Word Nuance & Usage

The spelling 'Mojave' is generally preferred for the desert and locations in California, whereas 'Mohave' is often used when referring to the indigenous people or places in Arizona.

• Rhymes for mojave

Word Origin & Etymology

From American Spanish 'Mojave', derived from the indigenous Yuman autonym 'Aha Makhav', translating to 'people who live along the water', in reference to the Colorado River.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mojave. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mojave
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