Lato is an adjective with Latin origin, which means wide, vast, broad, extensive.
This word serves to qualify something that extends both in the physical, temporal or intellectual scope. Ex: He has a broad knowledge of World War II.
Lato sensu and stricto sensu
Lato sensu and stricto sensu are Latin expressions meaning "broad sense" and "strict sense", respectively.
Broad sense or broad sense of a given concept indicates a more general view of that concept, while the strict sense refers to a more particular definition of that same concept. For example, in a broad sense, culture is the manifestation of various aspects of the human being. In a strict sense it can mean the intellectual capacity of a certain person.
In addition, the two expressions can be used to describe postgraduate courses, with the lato sensu being constituted by programs of specialization (in courses such as MBA) and stricto sensu consist of master's and doctoral programs for individuals with a degree in a course higher.