Yao

noun (1)
\ ˈyau̇\
plural Yao or Yaos

Definition of Yao

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : an aboriginal people inhabiting chiefly mountainous parts of southwestern China, northern Thailand, Laos, and Tonkin
b : a member of such people
2 : the language of the Yao people — see miao-yao

Yao

noun (2)
\ "\
plural Yao or Yaos

Definition of Yao (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an African people living in the vicinity of Lake Nyasa, Central Africa
b : a member of such people
2 : a Bantu language of the Yao people