aisle

[ahyl]

noun

1. a walkway between or along blocks or rows of seats in a theater, classroom, airplane, etc..

   We were glad to get seats next to the aisle for that flight.

2. Architecture.

   1. a longitudinal division of an interior area, such as in a church, separated from the main area by an arcade or the like.

   2. any of the longitudinal divisions of a church or similarly shaped building.

3. the aisle, the divide or division between two political factions or parties.

   The Democrat reached across the aisle to form a bipartisan coalition.

   Her proposal was criticized by folks on both sides of the aisle.

aisle

/ aɪl /

noun

1. a passageway separating seating areas in a theatre, church, etc; gangway

2. a lateral division in a church flanking the nave or chancel

3. informal,  (of an audience) overcome with laughter

Other Word Forms

• aisled adjective
• unaisled adjective
• aisleless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aisle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1880–85 aisle for def. 3; alteration (with ai from French aile “wing”) of earlier ile, isle (with s from isle ), from Middle French, from Latin āla “wing,” cognate with axle; ala; sense of aisle def. 3 derives from the central aisle dividing Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and in other legislative chambers

Word History and Origins

Origin of aisle¹

C14 ele (later aile, aisle, through confusion with isle (island)), via Old French from Latin āla wing

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the aisles. rolling.

2. walk / go down the aisle, to get married.

   Fewer couples are walking down the aisle these days.

Example Sentences

Hosting on a budget is a rite of passage, I think—a kind of domestic apprenticeship where you suddenly realize that ambience is not something you can buy in the seasonal aisle.

Read more on Salon

Whether you maneuver the aisles at Target, or watch the game with your favorite Eagles friend, the tension will be the same.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Goodwill, long known for its dingy thrift stores with dark, crammed aisles and overflowing bins, is getting more glamorous.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“It’s not true that walking down the aisle or welcoming a child into the world will somehow limit your personal freedom,” she said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Look, look how empty this is," he insists, pointing to a long, lonely aisle full of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• avenue 
• corridor 
• hallway 
• lane 
• path