plural Lao or Laos ˈlau̇z How to pronounce Lao (audio)
1
: a member of a Buddhist people living in Laos and adjacent parts of northeastern Thailand
2
: the Tai language of the Lao people
Lao adjective

Examples of Lao in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Investigators then found out that both Lao and Douglas are listed at the same address in Charlestown. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2025 The line will pass through nine Vietnamese provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 In many languages, including Lao, Farsi, Yucatec, and Cantonese, taste turned out to be the most expressible sense. Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 And Nashville has Bad Idea, a wine bar with sharable Lao plates, plus a late-night menu that includes decadent pain perdu with kaya and caviar. Emily Wilson, Bon Appétit, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Lao 

Word History

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lao was in 1808

Dictionary Entries Near Lao

Cite this Entry

“Lao.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lao. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Lao

noun
plural Lao or Laos
1
: a member of a people living in Laos and northeastern Thailand
2
: the language of the Lao people which is closely related to Thai
Lao adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Lao

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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