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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Scherer helped support efforts to establish the Hmong-Lao farm and community center in Prairie City and worked across cultures and faiths. Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 9 Apr. 2026 More than a dozen people were injured when a vehicle struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year on Saturday in rural Louisiana, authorities said. Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026 At least 13 people were hospitalized after a car struck revelers at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in Louisiana, officials said. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Apr. 2026 The incident occurred at a Louisiana Lao New Year event celebrating the Buddhist New Year. Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026 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 24 Apr. 2026.

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

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