Ada

¹ American  

[ey-duh] / ˈeɪ də /

noun

Computers.

1. a programming language particularly suited to real-time applications: developed for use by the U.S. Department of Defense.

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Ada ² American  

[ey-duh] / ˈeɪ də /

noun

1. a city in central Oklahoma.

2. Douay Bible. Adah.

3. a first name: from a Germanic word meaning “noble.”

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ADA ³ American  

abbreviation

1. adenosine deaminase.

2. American Dental Association. null A.D.A.

3. American Diabetes Association. null A.D.A.

4. Americans for Democratic Action. null A.D.A.

5. Americans with Disabilities Act: a federal law prohibiting discrimination against people with physical or mental impairments and guaranteeing access to employment opportunities and access to state and local government programs and services, signed by President George H. W. Bush in 1990.

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A.D.A. ⁴ American  

Or ADA

abbreviation

1. American Dental Association.

2. American Diabetes Association.

3. Americans for Democratic Action.

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Ada British  

/ ˈeɪdə /

noun

1. a high-level computer programming language designed for dealing with real-time processing problems: used for military and other systems

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Etymology

Origin of Ada

Named after Augusta Ada (Byron), Countess of Lovelace (1815–37), English mathematician, who assisted Charles Babbage in developing a precursor of the modern computer

Example Sentences

In 2016, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, taking inspiration and personnel from Barack Obama’s two election wins, was a data-heavy enterprise that relied on analytics — and, famously, an algorithm named Ada.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

In Ada Louise Huxtable’s architecture writing, buildings whirl off their footings and built interiors entice us to dance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Another award winner, Stephen Graham of Adolescence fame, returns to the cast, as well as Sophie Rundle who plays Tommy's sister Ada.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Ada Carrillo, one of the devout who crowed the basilica this week, said she unites all of Mexico, transcending political, geographic and class divides.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

If you lived in Lily, Arkansas, which we all did, then you knew Ada, or at least knew about her.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley