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

walking with a swagger à la John Wayne

Examples of ala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

The two films shown at the Chinese Saturday were shown using actual VistaVision projectors, of which only a few exist in the world, which are equipped to run large-format prints that run through the projection system horizontally, a la modern-day Imax. —Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025

One four course menu is featured at dinner each night; breakfast and lunch are a la carte. —Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

While the prix fixe menu was a limited time special, Richard said all the same items will be available a la carte for future patrons. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2025

Add in a wicker pendant overhead to tie it all together a la Anderson Cooper. —Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

Las palabras y acciones de la gente en el trabajo, en nuestra comunidad y en la sociedad que no están a la altura de nuestras expectativas. —David Lancefield, Harvard Business Review, 14 Apr. 2025

Frankel Hirsch continued to experiment with couture techniques in new ways, adding more drama, a la the gestural illustrations by Erté. —Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025

Georgie At this swanky restaurant, chef RJ Yoakum offers a playful yet refined tasting menu, as well as seasonal a la carte dishes. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2025

How many fans will pay a la carte to watch this team? —Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 27 Mar. 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

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