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
walking with a swagger à la John Wayne

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
Still, the character is now available to play the hero or the villain in a slasher film — a la Winnie the Pooh — if some enterprising filmmaker wants to take advantage of the fair use. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 1 Jan. 2025 Might Netflix take it one step further and release episodes weekly, a la traditional TV and many of its streaming competitors? Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024 One of the most welcome developments in Sleeping Lady’s evolution recently launched in the Kingfisher restaurant, as seasoned chef Micah Windham has overseen the movement away from buffet-style service to elegant a la carte offerings dedicated to showcasing local ingredients. Leslie Kelly, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Dinner seatings from 5-10:30 p.m.; silent disco, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. MORE INFORMATION: An a la carte bar menu will be available all evening. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024 Taco Bell's new chicken nugget menu includes a 5-piece a la carte option with one sauce for $3.99 and a 10-piece option with two sauces for $6.99. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Dec. 2024 Waymo’s world: Club holding Alphabet’s self-driving car unit is taking its talents to South Beach, a la LeBron James back in the day. Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024 Some linens even come as cotton blends for extra softness (a la the Sixpenny Neva). Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2024 Carry-out options still available for preorder include a la carte sides ($11 to $33) and pumpkin ($24.95) and apple pie ($26.95). Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Nov. 2024

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

Dictionary Entries Near ala

Cite this Entry

“Ala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ala. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

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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