Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Miao

noun
Mi·ao
variants: or less commonly Meo or Maeo \mēˈau̇ \
plural Miao or Miaos

Definition of Miao 

1a : an aboriginal people of China inhabiting southwestern China and the northern parts of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand

b : a member of such people

2 : a language of the Miao people

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Miao

Chinese (Pekingese) Miao2

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Miao

Dictionary Entries near Miao

Miami-Dade County

miana bug

miang

Miao

Miao-tse

miaow

Miao-Yao

Statistics for Miao

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Miao

What made you want to look up Miao? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

indoctrinate

to teach someone the beliefs of a group

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games