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

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
Elliott projects as a high-floor prospect who may one day become a starter and should at least find himself in a rotation, a la a heavier Jack Gibbens. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026 While not part of the recent bagel boom, a la Rise Bagels and PopUp Bagel, the longtime chain has been a steady presence since 1990. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026 The a la carte menu is where Hopson delves into more classic French dishes, with a steak au poivre built around a robust, beefy hunk of hanger steak that could put your favorite steakhouse out of business. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026 Some commemorate revolutions, like Mexico City’s Monumento a la Revolución, and others, like Lisbon’s Rua Augusta Arch, symbolize the strength of a people. Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2026 Food and drink Breakfast, served a la carte, is included for all guests, though there’s a supplement for specialty coffees, teas, and smoothies. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026 In contrast, this couch is quite sleek with a solid ash wood frame, and a low profile that reminds me of midcentury furniture a la Niemeyer. Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 14 Apr. 2026 Kelly’s videos, delivered in her distinctive, pitchy voice (think Valley girl with notes of humdrum detachment a la the famously monotone comedian Ben Stein), are both personal and woven with running gags. Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2026 The menu has a Scandi feel, with a trolley of open sandwiches served at lunchtime and a la carte dishes including gravadlax with pickled cucumber salad, Swedish west coast salad with prawns, mussels and crab, and lemon and blueberry custard tart. Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ala was in 1634

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Cite this Entry

“Ala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ala. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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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