WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
Tao•ism
(dou′iz əm, tou′-),USA pronunciation n.
Tao′ist, n., adj.
Tao•is′tic, adj.
- Philosophythe philosophical system evolved by Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu, advocating a life of complete simplicity and naturalness and of noninterference with the course of natural events, in order to attain a happy existence in harmony with the Tao.
- Eastern ReligionsAlso called Hsüan Chiao. a popular Chinese religion, originating in the doctrines of Lao-tzu but later highly eclectic in nature and characterized by a pantheon of many gods and by the practice of alchemy, divination, and magic.
- Tao + -ism
Tao•is′tic, adj.