tala

1 of 2

noun (1)

ta·​la ˈtä-lə How to pronounce tala (audio)
: one of the ancient traditional rhythmic patterns of South Asian music compare raga

tala

2 of 2

noun (2)

ta·​la ˈtä-lə How to pronounce tala (audio)
-(ˌ)lä
plural tala or talas
the basic monetary unit of Samoa see Money Table

Examples of tala 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.
Noun
We are introduced to the building blocks of various music traditions, such as the raga and tala in Indian classical music. John Check, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023 Both also share certain melodic modes and deviously subdivided rhythmic patterns or cycles — known, respectively, as ragas and talas — that sound distinctly different from each other. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Sanskrit tāla, literally, hand-clapping

Noun (2)

Samoan, from English dollar

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1891, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1967, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tala was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near tala

Cite this Entry

“Tala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tala. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on tala

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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