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
1
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."
2
A surname.
"The town was named for Commodore Decatur, a hero of the early US Navy."
How to use Decatur
Learner’s notesIn 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.
Class of 1800
Decatur joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
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.
