Mongol

American  

[mong-guhl, -gohl, mon-] / ˈmɒŋ gəl, -goʊl, ˈmɒn- /

noun

1. a member of a pastoral people now living chiefly in Mongolia.

2. Anthropology. (no longer in technical use) a person having Mongoloid characteristics.

3. any Mongolian language.

4. (often lowercase) (no longer in technical use; now considered offensive) a person affected with Down syndrome.

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adjective

1. Mongolian.

Mongol ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒŋɡɒl, -ɡəl /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Mongolia, esp a nomad

2. the Mongolian language

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mongol ² British  

/ ˈmɒŋɡəl /

noun

1. a formerly used and now highly offensive name for a person affected by Down's syndrome

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Other Word Forms

• non-Mongol noun

Etymology

Origin of Mongol

First recorded in 1610–20; from French mongal, ultimately from Mongolian Mongol, possibly from mong “brave”

Example Sentences

Erdenes Mongol has a 34% stake in Oyu Tolgoi, while Rio Tinto owns the rest and manages the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

I'm obsessed with Genghis Khan and the history of the Mongol Empire.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2025

The chart extends from the islands of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Mongol empire’s Golden Horde in what is now Eastern Europe.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2023

On his first working day in Mongolia, the government feted the pope with traditional events such a parade including men on horseback dressed as ancient Mongol warriors.

From Reuters • Sep. 2, 2023

More complex units don’t always conquer less complex ones but may succumb to them, as when the Roman and Chinese Empires were overrun by “barbarian” and Mongol chiefdoms, respectively.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond