informal
used as a nickname for New Orleans
Jazz may have been born in NOLA at the turn of the century, but by the 1950s, the music of choice in New Orleans was rhythm & blues.B. Getz
After earning his degree from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, [Chef Michael] Magee went on to work with top tier NOLA chefs including James Corwell, John Besh and Michael Gulotta.Lori Fredrich

Examples of NOLA in a Sentence

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.
Sources told Deadline that Jackson is scheduled to film his episodes of Tulsa King in July, with production on NOLA King reportedly slated to begin in February. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 6 June 2025 Jackson is expected to film his episodes in July, with production on NOLA King eying a February start, sources said. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 June 2025 The Free Jacks can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win at NOLA Gold in Round 17 on Saturday at 7 p.m.. Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 2 June 2025 Former homicide detective reveals what will catch NOLA escapees: 'It's called money' Fox News contributor and former D.C. homicide detective on the latest in the hunt for the New Orleans jail escapees, the Israeli embassy staffer killings and his Memorial Day message. Stepheny Price , Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025 The other was tracked to a housing complex where Project NOLA does not have cameras but was arrested on Tuesday thanks in part to the information provided by Project NOLA about his likely location, according to the group. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 May 2025 Says Chris Hannah, bartender and co-owner of Jewel of the South, who keeps it old school in his approach to guest experience based on his own background at NOLA classic, Arnaud’s. Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 The Legion are coming off a 45-36 home win over the NOLA Gold last week. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025 The Legion got off to a dominant 5-0 start to the season before losing 34-14 last week at Houston while Chicago is coming off a 20-18 win over the NOLA Gold. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Orleans + LA, abbreviation for Louisiana

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of NOLA was in 1958

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Cite this Entry

“NOLA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/NOLA. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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