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laogai

American  
[lou-gahy] / ˈlaʊˈgaɪ /

noun

  1. the system of forced-labor camps, prisons, etc., in China.

Etymology

Origin of laogai

1990–95; < Chinese: literally, reform through labor

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.

With time, Mr. Liao comes to see the laogai system as mimicking basic features of everyday life in China.

From New York Times • Jul. 2, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.