cola

¹

[koh-luh]

noun

1. a carbonated soft drink containing an extract made from kola nuts or an artificial imitation, together with sweeteners and other flavorings.

cola

²

[koh-luh]

noun

1. a plural of colon.

cola

³

[koh-luh]

noun

1. a plural of colon.

COLA

⁴

[koh-luh]

noun

1. cost-of-living adjustment: an automatic increase in wages, Social Security, pensions, etc., to cover the rising cost of living due to inflation.

COLA

¹

abbreviation

1. cost of living adjustment: an increase in benefit payments according to the rate of inflation

2. cost of living allowance: extra money paid to workers in areas where the cost of living is more expensive

cola

²

/ ˈkəʊlə /

noun

1. either of two tropical sterculiaceous trees, Cola nitida or C. acuminata, widely cultivated in tropical regions for their seeds See cola nut

2. a sweet carbonated drink flavoured with cola nuts

cola

³

/ ˈkəʊlə /

noun

1. a plural of colon 1 colon 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of cola¹

First recorded in 1885–90; spelling variant of kola, extracted from the trademark names of such drinks, as Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cola¹

C18: from kola, probably variant of Mandingo kolo nut

Example Sentences

So, in terms of drinks it includes fizzy drinks such as lemonade and cola that contain sugar.

From BBC

Andrew was finally able to get out, though he admittedly took a drink of cola on the way.

From BBC

Last week, the former president claimed on Truth Social that Coca-Cola had agreed to swap high-fructose corn syrup for real cane sugar in its classic American cola.

From Salon

Some have even said the water looks like "coca cola".

From BBC

For decades, the cola wars played out in Super Bowl commercials and fast food soda fountains, in taste tests and vending machine allegiances.

From Salon

Related Words

• soda 
• soda pop