n.
- A festive occasion, especially a lavish social event or entertainment.
- Chiefly British. An athletic competition, especially a swimming contest.
- Marked by lavish or festive celebration: a gala ball after the inaugural ceremony.
- Characterized by sumptuous social pleasure: the gala life of the very rich.
[Italian and French, both ultimately from Old French gale, rejoicing, from galer, to make merry. See gallant.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
