Other

a1

Pronunciation: /ə, eɪ/

(an before a vowel sound)

Definition of a

1used when mentioning someone or something for the first time in a text or conversation:a man came out of the room it has been an honour to meet youCompare with the.
used with units of measurement to mean one such unit:a hundred a quarter of an hour
[with negative] one single; any:I simply haven’t a thing to wear
used when mentioning the name of someone not known to the speaker:a Mr Smith telephoned
someone like (the name specified):you’re no better than a Hitler

2used to indicate membership of a class of people or things:he is a lawyer this car is a BMW

3in, to, or for each; per (used when expressing rates or ratios):typing 60 words a minute a move to raise petrol prices by 3p a litre

Origin:

Middle English: weak form of Old English ān 'one'

On the question of using a or an before words beginning with h, see an (usage).

Definition of a in the US English dictionary

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