Lao

noun

ˈlau̇ 

plural Lao or Laos ˈlau̇z 

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

The menu featured a farmer’s market salad with a Lao-style egg yolk dressing, papaya salad, yellowtail crudo with a yuzu coconut jeow and perilla, vegetable red curry, beef red curry, and the siu mai. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

The Detroit News reports that Lao’s body had significant trauma to the head and face. — Niya Doyle, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026

Now, 50-years later, a group of Hmong and Lao Minnesota veterans is finally being recognized by the state . — Reg Chapman, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

After just a few years, Lao opened a second location in Katy. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for Lao

• bao
• bough
• brow
• chow
• ciao
• clow
• cow
• dao
• dow
• frau
• hao
• hau

Kids Definition

Lao

noun

ˈlau̇ 

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