# Davis

/ˈdeɪvəs/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/davis
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR A1

a common last name for people in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: a common surname of Welsh origin, meaning 'son of David'.

- Miles Davis was a very famous American jazz musician.
- The research paper was co-authored by Professor Davis and his colleagues at the medical center.

### 2. a city or university

noun · CEFR B1

a city in California known for its large university.

For teachers: a city in Yolo County, California, primarily known as the site of the University of California, Davis.

- She is moving to Davis to start her degree in veterinary medicine.
- The city of Davis is frequently cited as one of the most bicycle-friendly communities in the United States.

## Examples

- Mr. Davis is our new history teacher.
- The Davis family has lived in this neighborhood for over twenty years.
- While the name Davis is ubiquitous across the United Kingdom and the United States, its highest concentration remains in Wales, where it originated as a patronymic surname.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.