paella

noun

pa·​el·​la pä-ˈā-yə 

-ˈāl-yə, 

-ˈe-lə, 

-ˈā-lə 

: a saffron-flavored dish containing rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables

Examples of paella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Highlights here include lechon asado, paella, ceviche, croquetas and Cuban pastries alongside brunch staples like French toast and made-to-order omelets. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

The menu riffs on typical Spanish and Mediterranean flavors—croquettes, paella, salted cod, and a few crowd-pleasing dishes like burgers and steak. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026

Three new restaurants announced openings last fall, including a sushi spot and a restaurant specializing in Spanish paella. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee march 12, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026

Dishes like Persian tahdig, Korean nurungji and Spanish paella with its socarrat crust all demand experience and skill to achieve that ideal layer of golden rice with its crackerlike bite. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Catalan, literally, pot, pan, from Middle French paelle, from Latin patella small pan — more at patella

First Known Use

circa 1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for paella

• shigella

Kids Definition

paella

noun

pa·​el·​la pä-ˈel-ə  -ˈāl-yə 

-ˈā-yə

: a Spanish dish of rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, and spices