Lao

American  

[lou] / laʊ /

noun

plural

Laos,

plural

Lao

1. a member of a people of Laos and northern Thailand.

2. the Tai language of the Lao.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Lao or their language.

LAO ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Laos (international car registration)

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Lao ² British  

/ laʊ /

adjective

1. another name for Laotian

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Etymology

Origin of Lao

First recorded in 1880–85; from Lao Láo, a self-designation

Example Sentences

"Younger and middle-aged candidates make up the majority," the Lao News Agency said, adding that the government was aiming to elect women to at least 30 percent of seats.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Honworld Group, the holding company for cooking wine and soy sauce maker Lao Heng He in Zhejiang province, said household spending was weaker than expected, leading other brands to unload inventory at low prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

On Monday, Lao media reported that they had found the body of a woman, named Pany Her.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

Hotak, 38, is an Afghan immigrant who served as a program manager at refugee resettlement organization Lao Family Community Development until layoffs due to federal cuts forced him out of work in May.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025

Her indignation came to her in English, even as she recalled a Chinese saying, Lao xu cbeng nu — constant shame becomes anger.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen