The meaning of A is the 1st letter of the English alphabet. How to use a in a sentence. A vs. An: Usage Guide., When an abbreviation begins with a consonant letter but is pronounced with a vowel sound, an is used. When a word begins with h but the first syllable of the word is not given primary stress, both a and an are used. There was a tree in the field. A man walked past him. I heard a shout. He bought a house, but this is not the house he bought., Abbreviation of are, from French are. An are, a unit of area one hundredth of a hectare; ares. Abbreviation of English acceleration. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “from annuity?”) (actuarial notation) Annuity; (specifically) annuity-immediate., When do we use a and when do we use an? In speaking, we use a /ə/ before a consonant sound: …, A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel letter of the Latin alphabet, [1] [2] used in the modern English alphabet, and others worldwide.Its name in English is a (pronounced / ˈ eɪ / ⓘ AY), plural aes., .