a walkway between or along sections of seats in a theater, classroom, or the like.
Architecture.
a longitudinal division of an interior area, as in a church, separated from the main area by an arcade or the like.
any of the longitudinal divisions of a church or the like.
the aisle,the divide or division between two political factions or parties: a Democrat who reached across the aisle to form a bipartisan coalition;a proposal that was criticized by folks on both sides of the aisle.
Idioms for aisle
in the aisles, (of an audience) convulsed with laughter.
Origin of aisle
First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1880–85 for def. 3; alteration (with ai from French aile “wing”) of earlier ile,isle (with s from isle); replacing Middle English ele, from Middle French, from Latin āla “wing,” cognate with axle; see ala. Sense of 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
Whole Foods, for example, has a section of its cracker aisle devoted to organic puffed rice and popcorn snacks for the gluten-averse or -intolerant.
The Rise and Fall of the Rice Cake, America’s One-Time Favorite Health Snack|Brenna Houck|September 17, 2020|Eater
TJ’s is your one-stop shop for car camping, says Jump, because not only are the aisles packed with great snacks, but there are tons of heat-and-eat meal options, too.
The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Camp Cooking|AC Shilton|September 5, 2020|Outside Online
CEOs need not call out individuals or political parties or take potshots at leaders on either side of the aisle.
Why CEOs must take action on democracy and election integrity—and how they can do it|matthewheimer|August 27, 2020|Fortune
You might recognize these mirrors as the ones that are sometimes mounted above shopping aisles or placed outside driveways to keep drivers from backing into things.
A Closer Look at the Public Art at Chicago Police Stations|by Logan Jaffe|August 21, 2020|ProPublica
It is an aisle seat, close to the exit, which means that you can be quick about leaving when the opera ends.
The first murder|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The mistletoe must have been hanging right across the aisle on Capital Hill.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But from the outside, from my side of the aisle, the situation seems very clear.
Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had|Jay Michaelson|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Princess Ariel and Prince Eric walk down the aisle, and are greeted by a stout clergyman who is allegedly too happy to see them.
When the Religious Right Attacked ‘The Little Mermaid’|Asawin Suebsaeng|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many from his side of the aisle are now just as wrong on this issue as his opponents are.
The Pipeline From Hell: There’s No Good Reason to Build Keystone XL|Jack Holmes|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Luggage spilled into the aisle as the bus pulled out of the station.
On the Bus: Ukraine’s Frontline Express Across the Battle Lines|Ted Phillips|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It came about through her trying to help Etta Spears, who sat across the aisle from Tess.
The Corner House Girls' Odd Find|Grace Brooks Hill
He and his mother were seated about five rows back from the front row on the edge of the aisle.
Carnac's Folly, Complete|Gilbert Parker
The steps to the vault, as has been stated, were on the outside of the building, immediately under the aisle wall.
A Pair of Blue Eyes|Thomas Hardy
The following arrangement is frequently observed: The ushers enter first, walking slowly down the aisle two by two.
Book of Etiquette|Lillian Eichler
Anyway, when She had turned Her beautiful head and smiled across the aisle, it had been at him.
The Very Small Person|Annie Hamilton Donnell
British Dictionary definitions for aisle
aisle
/ (aɪl) /
noun
a passageway separating seating areas in a theatre, church, etc; gangway
a lateral division in a church flanking the nave or chancel
rolling in the aislesinformal(of an audience) overcome with laughter
Derived forms of aisle
aisled, adjectiveaisleless, adjective
Word Origin for aisle
C14 ele (later aile, aisle, through confusion with isle (island)), via Old French from Latin āla wing