Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Tao

1 American  
[dou, tou] / daʊ, taʊ /

noun

(sometimes lowercase)
  1. (in philosophical Taoism) that in virtue of which all things happen or exist.

  2. the rational basis of human activity or conduct.

  3. a universal, regarded as an ideal attained to a greater or lesser degree by those embodying it.


Tao 2 American  
[tou] / taʊ /

noun

  1. Yami.


Tao British  
/ taʊ /

noun

  1. that in virtue of which all things happen or exist

  2. the rational basis of human conduct

  3. the course of life and its relation to eternal truth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Tao1

First recorded in 1730–40; from Chinese (Wade-Giles) Tao4, (pinyin) dào literally, “path, way, right way”

Origin of Tao2

From Tao: literally, “human being”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The Tao of Wu” looks forward to a shapeshifting future and calls for a defense of human creativity: “We must find and use a logic that’s not programmable.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Throughout her first pregnancy, Wang Yifan had lots of questions, which she usually put to renowned obstetrician Duan Tao -- or rather, an AI clone of the top Shanghai-based doctor.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

They’ll get into the psychodrama of Kit Harrington’s Henry Muck, the thrilling parallels to real world stories, the tragic downfall of Eric Tao, and more.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

Tesla executive Grace Tao told Shanghai-based media outlet Cailian on Friday that the company has started an artificial-intelligence training center in China focused on developing technology for the local market.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 6, 2026

When we were ten, I felt like there was nothing I could tell Tao that he wouldn’t understand.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray