ala

1 of 4

noun

plural alae ˈā-ˌlē How to pronounce ala (audio)
: a wing or a winglike anatomic part or process (see process entry 1 sense 4)
alar adjective
alary 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 How to pronounce à la (audio)
ˌä-lə,
ˌa-lə
variants or less commonly a la
: in the manner of
walking with a swagger à la John Wayne

Examples of ala 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.
Preposition
Olla Cocina: The $40 three-course menu offers choices such as Camarones a la Diabla, Taco Platter and Roasted Cauliflower Enchiladas. Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 4 July 2025 Expect an a la carte menu of brunch favorites, mimosas, bloody marys and more. Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Staging-wise, this is a tour that resists the modern superstar temptation to make each song into its own separate production number, a la Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Halsey, et al. Chris Willman, Variety, 27 June 2025 The interior of the restaurant will also be available for a la carte dining, with some seats offering views of the Pacific. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 June 2025 That space will offer champagne on arrival, local food items and a la carte dining, the airline said. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025 There’s no disagreement here, but there is disagreement with the presentation a la Chapter Six. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 The sandwich and fries are available in a meal or a la carte, Wendy's said in the news release. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 18 June 2025 If the Knicks are building around Karl-Anthony Towns, extending Robinson as a defensive anchor a la Rudy Gobert could be their best shot at keeping the interior intact. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 June 2025

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ala was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ala. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

ala

1 of 3 noun
plural alae -ˌlē How to pronounce ala (audio)
: a wing or a winglike anatomic process or part
especially : ala nasi

Ala

2 of 3 abbreviation
alanine; alanyl

ALA

3 of 3 abbreviation

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