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DictionarydadoLower wall section
noun

dado

DAY-doh/ˈdeɪdəʊ/

The lower section of an interior wall below a molding.

Blue-green paneling covers the dado below a narrow horizontal molding.

A simple interior wall corner with muted blue-green paneling across the lower third, clearly separated by a narrow horizontal molding from the plain white plaster above.
Etymology
dadoItaliandie, cube

Italian dado meant a die or cube. In architecture, the word named the section of a pedestal between its base and cornice before extending to paneling on the lower part of a wall.

More examples

  • We paint the dado a darker color than the wall above.
  • A chair rail separates the dado from the upper wall.
  • Decorative tiles cover the dado in the hallway.

Forms

dado · dados · dadoes

molding noun — A shaped strip used for decoration.

Similar words

wainscot
Refers specifically to paneling, not the wall section itself.