informal
used as a nickname for New Orleans
Jazz may have been born in NOLA at the turn of the century, but by the 1950s, the music of choice in New Orleans was rhythm & blues.B. Getz
After earning his degree from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, [Chef Michael] Magee went on to work with top tier NOLA chefs including James Corwell, John Besh and Michael Gulotta.Lori Fredrich

Examples of NOLA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Says Chris Hannah, bartender and co-owner of Jewel of the South, who keeps it old school in his approach to guest experience based on his own background at NOLA classic, Arnaud’s. Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 The Legion are coming off a 45-36 home win over the NOLA Gold last week. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 The Legion got off to a dominant 5-0 start to the season before losing 34-14 last week at Houston while Chicago is coming off a 20-18 win over the NOLA Gold. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 Here's a quick look at the three semifinalists for the job, according to bios provided by NOLA PS: Dr. Sharon Latten-Clark currently serves as the charter director at Sophie B. Wright High School and on the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025 Some of the participating eateries include Baja Betty’s, Crest Cafe, Handle’s Ice Cream, Lestat’s and NOLA on 5th. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 Some of my favorites in the area include breakfast spot Surrey’s, the award-winning Dakar NOLA, and French brasserie MaMou. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025 Uptown Super Sunday 2025 NOLA Holi Festival Los Islenos Fiesta in St. Bernard St. Francis Xavier's Crawfish and Seafood Fest at 5:30pm Friday Chelsea Brasted contributed to this story. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 The City of New Orleans' emergency preparedness website, NOLA Ready, has been providing updates on public safety measures ahead of the celebrations. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Orleans + LA, abbreviation for Louisiana

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of NOLA was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“NOLA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/NOLA. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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