al-Qaeda

or al-Qai·da

[ al-key-duh, ‐kahy-duh ]

/ ælˈkeɪ də, ‐ˈkaɪ də /

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noun

a radical Sunni Muslim organization dedicated to the elimination of a Western presence in Arab countries and militantly opposed to Western foreign policy: founded by Osama bin Laden in 1988.

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Origin of al-Qaeda

From the Arabic word al-qa'ida, literally, the base

Words nearby al-Qaeda

alpine tundra, alpinism, alpinist, alprazolam, Alps, al-Qaeda, already, alright, ALS, Alsace, Alsace-Lorraine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use al-Qaeda in a sentence

The influential al Qaeda propagandist, who was born in New Mexico, died in a U.S. drone strike later that year.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The al Qaeda-linked gunmen shot back, but only managed to injure one officer before they were taken out.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Two witnesses outside the Charlie Hebdo office building quoted the Kouachi brothers claiming they were members of al Qaeda.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There is a particular focus in the magazine on attacking the United States, which al Qaeda calls a top target.
U.S. Spies See Al Qaeda Fingerprints on Paris Massacre|Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Al Qaeda has never managed to carve out a large chunk of real estate to call its own—in Afghanistan it was a guest of the Taliban.
ISIS’s Futile Quest to Go Legit|Jamie Dettmer|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To date, we've arrested or otherwise dealt with many key commanders of al Qaeda.
State of the Union Addresses of George W. Bush|George W. Bush
We didn't drive al Qaeda out of their safe haven in Afghanistan only to let them set up a new safe haven in a free Iraq.
State of the Union Addresses of George W. Bush|George W. Bush
The leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in controlling most of that country.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
The crew and passengers quickly subdued the man, who had been trained by al Qaeda and was armed with explosives.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
The first to see our determination were the Taliban, who made Afghanistan the primary training base of al Qaeda killers.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

British Dictionary definitions for al-Qaeda

al-Qaeda

al-Qaida

/ (ælˈkaɪdə, ælkɑːˈiːdə) /

noun

a loosely-knit militant Islamic organization led and funded by Osama bin Laden, by whom it was established in the late 1980s from Arab volunteers who had fought the Soviet troops previously based in Afghanistan; known or believed to be behind a number of operations against Western, especially US, interests, including bomb attacks on two US embassies in Africa in 1998 and the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York in 2001

Word Origin for al-Qaeda

C20: from Arabic al-qā`ida the base

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

Cultural definitions for al-Qaeda

Al Qaeda

[ (ahl-kay-da) ]

An Islamic terrorist network headed by Osama bin Laden. It is generally believed to have been responsible for the September 11 attacks.