# toa

/ˈtoʊɑ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/toa
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a person who is very brave, strong, or skilled. It is a word from the Māori language that describes someone who is a hero or a leader.

For teachers: a person of great strength, courage, or skill. Borrowed from Māori, it functions as a proper noun in English contexts to describe a heroic figure or a leader.

## Examples

- The young athlete was called a toa for his bravery.
- In many Māori stories, the toa is the central character who protects the community from danger.
- The documentary explores the legacy of the toa who led the resistance against colonial expansion, highlighting their strategic brilliance and unwavering commitment to their people.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.