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  • dal
    dal
    noun
    dried and often split legumes, especially lentils or peas.
  • dāl
    dāl
    noun
    the eighth letter of the Arabic alphabet.
  • Dal
    Dal
    noun
    a river in S Sweden, flowing SE from the W border to the Gulf of Bothnia. About 250 miles (405 km) long.

dal

1 American  
[dahl] / dɑl /
Or dhal,

noun

  1. dried and often split legumes, especially lentils or peas.

  2. a sauce or dish made from cooked lentils and spices, common in South Asian cuisine.


dal 2 American  

abbreviation

  1. dekaliter; dekaliters.


dāl 3 American  
[dahl] / dɑl /

noun

  1. the eighth letter of the Arabic alphabet.


Dal 4 American  
[dahl] / dɑl /

noun

  1. a river in S Sweden, flowing SE from the W border to the Gulf of Bothnia. About 250 miles (405 km) long.


dal 1 British  
/ dɑːl /

noun

  1. split grain, a common foodstuff in India; pulse

  2. a variant spelling of dhal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dal 2 British  

symbol

  1. decalitre(s)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dal1

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Hindi dāl “split pulse, cooked pulse,” from Sanskrit dala, from dāl- “to split”

Origin of dāl3

From Arabic

Explanation

Dal is an Indian dish made using lentils and many delicious spices. Next time you go to an Indian restaurant, try ordering dal. The Hindi word dal can be used for any bean or legume that's split in half and can be cooked without soaking it first. Its Sanskrit root, also dal, means "to split." Dal is also the soup or stew made from split lentils, one of the most popular dishes in South Asia. A typical dal is made with onions, tomatoes, and whole spices fried in oil, and it is eaten with rice or a flat bread.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Companies will also begin reporting earnings, with results due from Delta Air Lines DAL -1.24%decrease; red down pointing triangle and Constellation Brands STZ 0.07%increase; green up pointing triangle .

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

“We’ve seen pricing increase twice in the industry, just in the last two weeks,” Delta Air Lines DAL 5.21%increase; green up pointing triangle CEO Ed Bastian told analysts in mid-March.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Factories including a wheat mill belonging to DAL Group, the country's largest conglomerate, were looted in Sudan's main industrial zone, which contains key food and industrial manufacturers.

From Reuters • May 19, 2023

The UAE deal also includes the $1.6 billion expansion and development of an agricultural project by Abu Dhabi conglomerate IHC and DAL Agriculture in the town of Abu Hamad in northern Sudan, Abdellatif said.

From Reuters • Jun. 20, 2022

May you never know the awful feeling that you're an outcast, not wanted anywhere, is the wish of Your unhappy friend, DAL.

From V. V.'s Eyes by Harrison, Henry Sydnor

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