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.
Her paella base consists of chicken stock with saffron, onions, and garlic for seasoning. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026 The standout dinner order is the seafood paella, which arrives sizzling in a hot pan with shrimp, calamari, mussels, market fish, chorizo, and crispy bomba rice. Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 There’s no cooking accomplishment more meaningful to me, an avid seafood lover, than great ceviche and paella. Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026 His paella has become a beloved tradition—an excuse to gather with friends, chat up strangers, maybe sip a glass of wine. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026 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 4 Jul. 2026.

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

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