paella

noun

pa·​el·​la pä-ˈā-yə 

-ˈāl-yə, 

-ˈe-lə, 

-ˈā-lə 

: a saffron-flavored dish containing rice, meat, seafood, and vegetables

Examples of paella in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Lunch might be a salad followed by lentil curry or vegetable paella, while dinner could start with vegetable soup and continue with a generous serving of fish and vegetables. —Rachel Ingram, Robb Report, 7 June 2026

Travelers also meet local women like silk textile artist Natalia Lumbreras, who shares the stories behind her work, and take part in a hands-on paella cooking class. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 June 2026

New culinary and hospitality figures honored • Reda Bellarbi-Salah founded midtown mainstay Aioli Bodega Española, known for its tapas, paella and sangria, in 1994. —Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026

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

Rhymes for paella

• shigella

Kids Definition

paella

noun

pa·​el·​la pä-ˈel-ə  -ˈāl-yə 

-ˈā-yə

: a Spanish dish of rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, and spices