gala

noun

1
: a festive celebration
especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion
2
capitalized : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping
gala adjective

Examples of gala in a Sentence

a grand gala celebrating the town's centennial attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year’s gala included an homage to American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who died of the disease in 1989. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025 Besides the film screenings, there will also be receptions on Thursday and Friday evening at 6 p.m., a filmmakers breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday and an awards dinner and gala on Saturday evening. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025 The slow-burn setup (even despite punctuations of mad violence) all leads to the requisite gala centerpiece, where the quote-unquote new and improved Elvira is revealed to her potential Prince. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025 Where New Orleans offers glittering, over-the-top galas and grandiose, orchestrated parades, in this region, homegrown events equal truck-bed concerts and krewe members on horseback. Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for gala 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from Spanish, "elegance, pomp, occasion marked by display," borrowed from Middle French gale "festivity, pleasure" — more at gallant entry 1

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gala was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near gala

Cite this Entry

“Gala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gala. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

gala

noun
: a festive celebration
gala adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gala

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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