ala

1 of 4

noun

ˈā-lə 

plural alae ˈā-ˌlē 

: a wing or a winglike anatomic part or process (see process entry 1 sense 4)

alar

ˈā-lər 

adjective

alary

ˈā-lə-rē 

adjective

Ala

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

Alabama

ALA

3 of 4

abbreviation (2)

American Library Association

à la

4 of 4

preposition

ˌä-(ˌ)lä 

ˌä-lə, 

ˌa-lə

variants or less commonly a la

: in the manner of

speaking with a passion à la Martin Luther King, Jr.

Examples of ala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Cohen’s remit also includes the launch of Black Bear Digital Networks, a unit geared to help large independent content owners monetize their shows a la syndication across a range of channels. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Switzerland’s neutrality was never absolute and often a la carte, even during many 20th-century wars. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep. 2026

The early menu structure was fascinating, with ingredients categorized by their preparation, centered around meats and vegetables organized by their preparation (roasted, braised, sautéed) and meant to be mixed and matched a la carte. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Glicine is open only for dinners and boasts a Michelin star thanks to the talent of its chef, Giuseppe Stanzione, who reimagines classic Mediterranean dishes with both a la carte and tasting menus. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Latin āla "armpit, upper arm, wing, axil" going back to *akslā, going back to Indo-European *h₂eḱs-(i)l-eh₂- (whence also Germanic *ahslō-, whence Old English eaxl "shoulder," Old Frisian axle, axele "shoulder, armpit," Old Saxon ahsla, Old High German ahsla, ahsala, Old Icelandic ǫxl "shoulder"), derivative with an -l- suffix from *h₂eḱs- "pivot around which something rotates, axle" — more at axis

Preposition

French à la

First Known Use

Noun

1634, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

circa 1642, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ala

• chela
• sequela

Medical Definition

ala

1 of 3 noun

ˈā-lə 

plural alae -ˌlē 

: a wing or a winglike anatomic process or part

especially : ala nasi

Ala

2 of 3 abbreviation

alanine; alanyl

ALA

3 of 3 abbreviation

1

alpha-linolenic acid

2

aminolevulinic acid