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• ala
  ala

  noun

  a wing.
• Ala
  Ala

  noun

  Hussein 1888–1964, Iranian statesman and diplomat: premier in 1951 and from 1955 to 1957.
• Ala.
  Ala.

  abbreviation

  Alabama.
• A.L.A.
  A.L.A.

  abbreviation

  American Library Association.

ala

¹ American  

[ey-luh] / ˈeɪ lə /

noun

alae plural

1. a wing.

2. a winglike part, process, or expansion, as of a bone, shell, seed, or stem.

3. either of the two side petals of a flower in the legume family, as the pea.

4. (in an ancient Roman house) a small room, as an alcove, opening into a larger room or courtyard.

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Ala ² American  

[ah-lah] / ˈɑ lɑ /

noun

1. Hussein 1888–1964, Iranian statesman and diplomat: premier in 1951 and from 1955 to 1957.

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Ala ³ American  

abbreviation

Biochemistry.

1. alanine.

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Ala. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Alabama.

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A.L.A. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. American Library Association.

2. Associate in Liberal Arts.

3. Authors League of America.

4. Automobile Legal Association.

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ala ¹ British  

/ ˈeɪlə /

noun

1. zoology a wing or flat winglike process or structure, such as a part of some bones and cartilages

2. botany a winglike part, such as one of the wings of a sycamore seed or one of the flat petals of a sweet pea flower

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Ala. ² British  

abbreviation

1. Alabama

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Etymology

Origin of ala

1730–40; < Latin āla wing, armpit, shoulder, representing *aks-lā, derivative of same base as axis axle ( see axis ¹); see axle

Example Sentences

In the report, the ALA said recent federal actions could undermine California’s efforts to improve air quality.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Among what the ALA estimates to be more than 1.2 billion in-person visits annually to libraries around the country, homeschoolers are among the system's most avid patrons.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025

The Spanish airline industry watchdog, ALA, plans a further appeal and has called the ministry's decision "nonsense", arguing the fine infringes EU free market rules.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2024

According to the ALA, the top 10 most challenged books of 2023 are as follows:

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2024

Blume, who accepted her award remotely from a bookstore she runs in Key West, Florida, thanked the ALA for “their tireless work in protecting our intellectual freedoms.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2024