plural alleys
1
: a garden or park walk bordered by trees or bushes
2
a(1)
: a grassed enclosure for bowling or skittles
(2)
: a hardwood lane for bowling
also
: a room or building housing a group of such lanes
b
: the space on each side of a tennis doubles court between the sideline and the service sideline
c
: an area in a baseball outfield between two outfielders when they are in normal positions
hit a line drive into the alley
3
: a narrow street
especially
: a thoroughfare through the middle of a block giving access to the rear of lots or buildings
4
: an extensive region where destructive natural phenomena of a specified type (such as tornadoes) occur often or are likely to occur
The most obvious tornado alley extends from the plains of northwest Texas eastward into north Texas and then northward across Oklahoma, Kansas, and eastern Nebraska.—
Tom Konvicka
Tom KonvickaExamples of alley in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
That offers more of a buffer from the single-family homes on the other side of the alley.
—Thomas Gounley, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
That is right up my alley, with sprinkles of chocolate on top and Reese's pieces.
—Asher Price, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
Vina Little Owl stands for justice in th same alley where Jermain Charlo was last seen.
—Michelle Miller, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alley 
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.
Noun
After over two years of planning, delays, and construction, Gilroy celebrated the transformation of a back alley into a public pedestrian plaza in a move that officials say will bring new life into downtown and serve as a hub of activity in the city.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
That offers more of a buffer from the single-family homes on the other side of the alley.
—Thomas Gounley, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
That is right up my alley, with sprinkles of chocolate on top and Reese's pieces.
—Asher Price, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024
Vina Little Owl stands for justice in th same alley where Jermain Charlo was last seen.
—Michelle Miller, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for alley
Dictionary Entries Near alley
Cite this Entry
“Alley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alley. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share