name

Decatur

dih-KAY-tuh

Decatur (name) means the name of several cities and towns across the United States, most named in honor of naval officer Stephen Decatur. Example: “Decatur, Illinois, and Decatur, Georgia, are two of the better-known cities sharing this name.”

name

The name of several cities and towns across the United States, most named in honor of naval officer Stephen Decatur.

"Decatur, Illinois, and Decatur, Georgia, are two of the better-known cities sharing this name."

A surname.

"The town was named for Commodore Decatur, a hero of the early US Navy."

How to use Decatur

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA common American place name honoring naval hero Stephen Decatur.

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_____, Illinois, and Decatur, Georgia, are two of the better-known cities sharing this name.

Etymology

Named after Stephen Decatur, an American naval commander celebrated for his actions in the early 19th century.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 Decatur joined the language around 1800.

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Decatur” mean?

The word “Decatur” means the name of several cities and towns across the United States, most named in honor of naval officer Stephen Decatur. In plain terms, a common American place name honoring naval hero Stephen Decatur.

How do you pronounce “Decatur”?

“Decatur” is pronounced dih-KAY-tuh (/dɪˈkeɪtə(ɹ)/ in IPA).

How do you use “Decatur” in a sentence?

Here is “Decatur” used in a sentence: “Decatur, Illinois, and Decatur, Georgia, are two of the better-known cities sharing this name.”

What part of speech is “Decatur”?

“Decatur” is a name.

Where does the word “Decatur” come from?

The word “Decatur” dates back to around 1800. Named after Stephen Decatur, an American naval commander celebrated for his actions in the early 19th century.

How many meanings does “Decatur” have?

“Decatur” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the name of several cities and towns across the United States, most named in honor of naval officer Stephen Decatur.