paella

noun

pa·​el·​la pä-ˈā-yə How to pronounce paella (audio)
-ˈāl-yə,
-ˈe-lə,
-ˈā-lə How to pronounce paella (audio)
: a saffron-flavored dish containing rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables

Examples of paella 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.
Here, the all-day menu has items such as ahi tuna Niçoise and paella risotto with British Columbia mussels. Johanna Read, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 It is also known for its special events, including their paella nights every Tuesday. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 But here’s the thing: authentic paella takes time, patience, and just the right technique. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025 Going Beyond Paella In a rice-growing powerhouse like Valencia, however, paella is only one of many recipes to feature the crop. Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for paella

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of paella was circa 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paella.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paella. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

paella

noun
pa·​el·​la pä-ˈel-ə How to pronounce paella (audio) -ˈāl-yə How to pronounce paella (audio)
-ˈā-yə
: a Spanish dish of rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, and spices

More from Merriam-Webster on paella

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!