aisle

IPA/aɪl/
KK[ˈaɪl]IPA/aɪl/

aisle — noun

  • aislesingular
  • aislesplural

1. the thin strip of floor that runs between two blocks of seats on a plane, in a t

1.nounB1
Definition

the thin strip of floor that runs between two blocks of seats on a plane, in a theatre, or inside a church, giving people a way to reach their row.

Example

Esme stood up and waited politely in the aisle until the snack cart had passed.

in the aisle (location phrase on a plane)

The flower girl scattered pink petals along the aisle before the bride walked in.

along the aisle (church wedding context)

Common collocations
  • aisle seat
  • centre aisle
  • walk down the aisle
  • block the aisle
  • across the aisle
Synonyms
  • passageway

    more formal; covers any narrow walking space, not just between seats

  • gangway

    British English; common on planes, trains, and ships

  • corridor

    longer, often enclosed by walls; not used between rows of seats

Grammar Patterns

walk down the aisle

across the aisle

in the aisle

Usage Note

Common in fixed phrases: 'aisle seat' (the seat next to the walkway, opposite of 'window seat') and 'walk down the aisle' (often hinting at a wedding). The 's' in 'aisle' is silent — it sounds like 'I'll'.

Common Mistakes

I sat at the aisle.
I sat in the aisle seat.
use 'in the aisle' for the walkway, but 'aisle seat' for the chair next to it.
Please pronounce the s in aisle.
The s in aisle is silent.
'aisle' rhymes with 'mile', not 'easel'.

2. one of the long, straight lanes inside a supermarket or large shop, with tall sh

2.nounB1
Definition

one of the long, straight lanes inside a supermarket or large shop, with tall shelves on both sides that usually hold one type of product the shopper can browse while walking along.

Example

You'll find the soy sauce in aisle four, just past the noodles.

in aisle [number] (supermarket location)

Sven parked her trolley at the end of the frozen food aisle and grabbed two pizzas.

compound: [product] aisle

Common collocations
  • frozen food aisle
  • cereal aisle
  • down the aisle
  • in aisle [number]
  • stock the aisle
Synonyms
  • lane

    informal; sometimes used for narrow walkways but less specific than 'aisle'

  • section

    broader; refers to a whole department, not just the walking lane

Grammar Patterns

in aisle [number]

the [product] aisle

Usage Note

Frequently combined with the product name to identify the section: 'cereal aisle', 'dairy aisle', 'frozen food aisle'. Aisles in big stores are usually numbered, so staff often direct shoppers with 'aisle 5', 'aisle 12', etc.

Common Mistakes

I bought milk on aisle 3.
I bought milk in aisle 3.
use 'in', not 'on', for store aisles.
Go to the aisle of bread.
Go to the bread aisle.
put the product before 'aisle' as a compound noun.
Idioms

walk down the aisle

idiom

to get married, especially in a traditional wedding ceremony where the bride walks toward the front of the church or hall.

Her grandmother cried happily as Mei walked down the aisle on her father's arm.

After eight years together, Diego and Sara finally decided to walk down the aisle next spring.

have / be rolling in the aisles

idiom

(of an audience) to be laughing very hard at something, usually a comedy show or joke.

The new comedian had the whole crowd rolling in the aisles within five minutes.

Grandpa's silly speech at dinner soon had everyone rolling in the aisles.

across the aisle

idiom

between people or groups with very different political views, especially in the US Congress where the two main parties sit on opposite sides of a central walkway.

Senator Brooks is known for reaching across the aisle to find compromise on health policy.

Voters want leaders who can shake hands across the aisle instead of just shouting.

go/walk down the aisle

idiom

To get married, especially in a formal ceremony.

Maya and Diego will walk down the aisle next June.

Are you planning to go down the aisle this year?

rolling in the aisles

idiom

Laughing very hard and uncontrollably.

The comedian had the audience rolling in the aisles.

Sara was rolling in the aisles during the funny movie.

side of the fence

idiom

One of two opposing positions or opinions in a debate.

On which side of the fence do you stand regarding the new law?

Brian and his brother are on opposite sides of the fence about politics.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four name a narrow space for walking, but each fits a different scene. 'Aisle' is the everyday word for the strip between rows of seats (planes, churches, theatres) or shelves (supermarkets); learners hear it most often at airports and stores. 'Passageway' is more formal and broader — any narrow walking space inside or between buildings. 'Gangway' is mainly British: it covers the same plane and theatre walkway as 'aisle', and also the ramp leading on or off a ship. 'Corridor' is the long enclosed walkway inside a building, with walls and doors on each side, like in a hotel or hospital — never used for the space between supermarket shelves. So: ask for an aisle seat on a plane, walk down the cereal aisle in a store, but down the corridor to your hotel room.

aisle ↗passageway ↗gangway ↗corridor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • aisle seat
  • centre aisle
  • supermarket aisle
  • frozen food aisle
  • cereal aisle

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Aisle' came into English in the late 14th century from Old French 'ele' (meaning 'wing'), which itself came from Latin 'ala' ('wing'). It first described the side wing of a church — the long passage parallel to the main hall. The unusual silent 's' was added later by mistake: writers confused the word with 'isle' (island) and Old French 'aile', so the spelling shifted while the pronunciation stayed the same. By the 1700s 'aisle' had spread from churches to any narrow walking space between rows of seats, and in the 20th century it became the standard word for shop walkways too.