al-Qaeda
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.
al-Qaida
-
a variation of
al-Qaeda.
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.
The attacks led to the war in Afghanistan, which lasted for 20 years after the invasion’s initial success in dismantling al-Qaida and removing the Taliban government.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
This is not to say al-Qaida will never be a threat again.
From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026
For this new “Global War on Terror” against al-Qaida, a new vocabulary and a new story were in order.
From Salon ● Dec. 13, 2025
“Without their tutelage,” Hoffman says, “it is questionable that al-Qaida could have become so threatening and competent.”
From Slate ● Aug. 9, 2024
Members of al-Qaida have traveled from continent to continent with the ease of a vacationer or business traveler.
From National Strategy for Combating Terrorism February 2003 by United States. Executive Office of the President
