Shan

noun

ˈshän How to pronounce Shan (audio)
ˈshan
plural Shan or Shans
1
: a member of a people living primarily in Myanmar and southern China
2
: the Thai language of the Shan

Word History

Etymology

Burmese Shàn

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Shan was in 1795

Dictionary Entries Near Shan

Cite this Entry

“Shan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Shan. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Shan

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!