aisle

[ ahyl ]

noun

1. a walkway between or along blocks or rows of seats in a theater, classroom, airplane, etc.:

   We were glad to get seats next to the aisle for that flight.

2. Architecture.
   1. a longitudinal division of an interior area, such as in a church, separated from the main area by an arcade or the like.
   2. any of the longitudinal divisions of a church or similarly shaped building.
3. the aisle, the divide or division between two political factions or parties:

   The Democrat reached across the aisle to form a bipartisan coalition.

   Her proposal was criticized by folks on both sides of the aisle.

aisle

/ aɪl /

noun

1. a passageway separating seating areas in a theatre, church, etc; gangway
2. a lateral division in a church flanking the nave or chancel
3. rolling in the aisles informal.
   (of an audience) overcome with laughter

Derived Forms

• ˈaisleless, adjective
• aisled, adjective

Other Words From

• aisled adjective
• un·aisled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aisle¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1880–85 aisle fordef 3; alteration (with ai from French aile “wing”) of earlier ile, isle (with s from isle ), from Middle French, from Latin āla “wing,” cognate with axle; ala; sense of aisle def 3 derives from the central aisle dividing Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and in other legislative chambers

Word History and Origins

Origin of aisle¹

C14 ele (later aile, aisle, through confusion with isle (island)), via Old French from Latin āla wing

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. walk / go down the aisle, to get married:

   Fewer couples are walking down the aisle these days.

2. in the aisles. rolling ( def 10 ).

Example Sentences

Many, from both sides of the political aisle, suggested Gaetz lacked the moral foundation needed to hold the position, and could face an uphill battle to winning confirmation in the Senate.

From Los Angeles Times

That means that when a party has a simple majority in the Senate, it needs to reach across the aisle to get a bill passed.

From BBC

You don’t need to walk down the aisle, but you do need to be proactive about your estate planning and make sure your finances are protected as unmarried partners.

From Salon

Shocked though he was, Walz championed the importance of looking across the aisle and seeing our neighbors not as enemies but as friends.

From Salon

Another employee said they became suspicious when he "entered the store without a basket or trolley", and went "straight to the alcohol aisle".

From BBC

Related Words

• avenue
• corridor
• hallway
• lane
• path