gala

noun

1
: a festive celebration
especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion
2
capitalized : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping
gala adjective

Examples of gala in a Sentence

a grand gala celebrating the town's centennial attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum
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.
While supporting her father at the gala on Friday, Mellencamp discussed how she’s been supported by her family through her ongoing cancer journey. Escher Walcott, People.com, 17 May 2025 While recently honoring Conan O’Brien for receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at a gala event in D.C., Sarah Silverman told the audience that the former late-night host kept her going after she was fired from Saturday Night Live after only one season. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025 Here are more photos from people who were at the gala. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025 In 2023, festivities included the Wilson Pottery Foundation gala and a tenth anniversary celebration at the Wilson Pottery Museum. Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gala

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from Spanish, "elegance, pomp, occasion marked by display," borrowed from Middle French gale "festivity, pleasure" — more at gallant entry 1

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gala was in 1777

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Cite this Entry

“Gala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gala. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

gala

noun
: a festive celebration
gala adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gala

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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