Ala.
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Geography & Places, Organizations & Companies |
| Also written | ALA |
Ala. has three meanings. The most common are Alabama (US state traditional) and American Library Association (professional association and labor union); it can also stand for American Lung Association.
Meanings of Ala. at a glance
| # | Ala. stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Geography & Places › US State Traditional |
| 2 | American Library Association | Organizations & Companies › Professional Association and Labor Union |
| 3 | American Lung Association | Organizations & Companies › Nonprofit |
1. Alabama
Geography & Places · US State Traditional Abbreviations
Standard newspaper and reference abbreviation for Alabama, used by AP in datelines such as TUSCALOOSA, Ala., in party labels like R-Ala. and in sports agate. The Bluebook and the Government Publishing Office style manual list the same form, so it is consistent across journalism, law and government printing.
Example: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Classes were canceled Tuesday as storms moved through west Alabama.
The postal code AL replaced Ala. on envelopes after 1963, but the two coexist: AL in addresses, Ala. in prose that follows a style guide. Since 2014 AP spells out Alabama when it stands alone in a story. Forms such as Alab. or Alb. are not recognized.
2. American Library Association (ALA)
Organizations & Companies · Professional Association and Labor Union Abbreviations
Oldest and largest library association in the world, which accredits master's programs in library science, promotes intellectual freedom and literacy, and sponsors Banned Books Week.
Example: The ALA reported a record number of attempts to remove books from school libraries.
Founded in Philadelphia in 1876, with Melvil Dewey among its founders. Its divisions award the Newbery and Caldecott Medals for children's literature. Its Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks book challenges. In health, ALA means the American Lung Association.
3. American Lung Association (ALA)
Organizations & Companies · Nonprofit Abbreviations
Health organization that works to improve lung health and prevent lung disease through research, tobacco control advocacy, education and its annual State of the Air report on air pollution.
Example: The ALA's State of the Air report gave the county an F for ozone pollution.
Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, it popularized Christmas Seals in the United States from 1907 as a fundraising tool. It later expanded to asthma, lung cancer and air quality. In libraries, ALA means the American Library Association.
Related abbreviations
More US state traditional abbreviations
- Ariz. – Arizona
- Ark. – Arkansas
- Cal. – California
- Calif. – California
- Colo. – Colorado
- Conn. – Connecticut
- Del. – Delaware
- Fla. – Florida
See all 36 US state traditional abbreviations →
More professional association and labor union abbreviations
- AIA – American Institute of Architects
- AIAA – American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- AIChE – American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- ALPA – Air Line Pilots Association, International
- AMA – American Medical Association
- AMS – American Mathematical Society
- ANA – American Nurses Association
See all 95 professional association and labor union abbreviations →