mao·ri \ˈmau̇(ə)rē, -ri\noun 1.pluralmaoriormaorisusually capitalized a. (1): a Polynesian people native to New Zealand (2): a member of such people b.: the Austronesian language of the Maori 2.-s: a brilliantly colored Australian marine percoid food fish (Ophthalmolepis lineolatus)