mohenjo-daro: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Historical, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “mohenjo-daro” mean?
The name of a major archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of a major archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan.
Often used as a metonym for the Indus Valley Civilization itself, its advanced urban planning, or its mysterious decline.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical academic and historical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mohenjo-daro” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] is located in...Archaeologists study [Proper Noun].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mohenjo-daro” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Mohenjo-daro-style urban planning
American English
- Mohenjo-daro-like artifacts
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in archaeology, history, and anthropology texts and lectures.
Everyday
Rare, only in discussions of ancient history or documentaries.
Technical
Specific to archaeology and related fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mohenjo-daro”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mohenjo-daro”
- Misspelling as 'Mohenjo Daro' (without hyphen), 'Mohenjodaro', or 'Mohenjo-Daro'.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable (/ˈmoʊ.../).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is widely believed to mean 'Mound of the Dead' in Sindhi, reflecting the site's appearance when discovered.
It is located in the Sindh province of modern-day Pakistan, near the Indus River.
It provides crucial evidence of one of the world's earliest major urban civilizations, notable for its sophisticated town planning, architecture, and social organization.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun referring to that specific archaeological site.
The name of a major archaeological site of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, located in present-day Pakistan.
Mohenjo-daro is usually academic, historical, cultural in register.
Mohenjo-daro: in British English it is pronounced /məʊˌhɛndʒəʊ ˈdɑːrəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊˌhɛndʒoʊ ˈdɑːroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Mow the hen, Joe, and go to Daro' – a silly phrase to remember the unusual name.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WINDOW INTO THE PAST; A PUZZLE TO BE SOLVED (referring to its unexplained decline).
Practice
Quiz
What is Mohenjo-daro primarily known as?