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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Sichuan peppercorn sauce will be concocted at home from a mix of Lao Gan Ma chili crisp ($14) and a citric Olokoi sauce from Palau ($13), previously unknown to me, plus my own cumin. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 May 2025 In two weeks, guests will visit UNESCO sites like Luang Prabang, witness elephants in their natural habitats, attend an intimate Baci ceremony led by a Lao prince, attend a private fashion show from one of Cambodia’s top designers, take a helicopter tour over the Khmer temples of Angkor, and more. Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025 Around 20,000 people traveled from across Texas for the three-day festival — the largest Lao New Year gathering in the nation, according to organizers. Christopher Torres, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2025 Hon Lao Island is about 10 miles off the coast of Vietnam and roughly 375 miles northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Lao.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lao. Accessed 25 May. 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

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