lo mein

noun

ˈlō-ˈmān How to pronounce lo mein (audio)
ˌlō-
: a Chinese dish consisting of sliced vegetables, soft noodles, and usually meat or shrimp in bite-size pieces stir-fried in a seasoned sauce

Examples of lo mein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flavor-wise, I was sold after a single bite of the sweet and spicy shrimp lo mein. — Betty Gold Kider, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Aug. 2025 No debating between orange chicken or lo mein. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026 Was passing containers of lo mein, honey garlic chicken and beef and broccoli around the table part of your annual tradition? — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026 Selections often include pan-Asian dishes such as lo mein and Thai red curry chicken, alongside staples such as chicken wings in a range of flavors. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lo mein

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Guangdong) lòu-mihn stirred noodles

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lo mein was in 1941

Rhymes for lo mein

See All Rhymes for lo mein

Browse Nearby Words

Lomé
lo mein
loment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lo mein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lo%20mein. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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