From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgalaga‧la /ˈɡɑːlə $ ˈɡeɪlə, ˈɡælə/ noun [countable] 1 APa public entertainment or performance to celebrate a special occasiongala dinner/performance/night etc the Society’s Gala Dinner a charity gala evening2 British EnglishDS a sports competition, especially in swimming
Examples from the Corpus
gala• The format was changed slightly, to make it more of a gala day.• The bodies are disinterred, and a colourful gala is held.• Gardai investigating the crash took statements from some of the dozens of spectators at yesterday's gala.• That evening, over dinner, the spirits of the gala evening returned.• Manchester City had just won the League Cup and this was the night of their gala celebrations.• A weekly gala dinner is held with folk music, and a piano bar provides music three times a week.gala dinner/performance/night etc• Once a week a gala dinner is held.• A gala dinner is held fortnightly and lunch is alfresco.• Misery Oldham were not mere spectators to this East Anglian gala night.• Disney should recoup some of that on worldwide sales of television rights to the gala performance.• Once a week there is a Tyrolean gala dinner. 50 bedrooms: no singles available.• A weekly gala dinner is held with folk music, and a piano bar provides music three times a week.• Two dining rooms; buffet style breakfast; weekly gala dinner.Origin gala (1600-1700) Italian Old French gale “fun and enjoyment” 