the Youth Hostels Association
/ðə ˈjuːθ hɒstlz əsəʊʃieɪʃn/, /ðə ˈjuːθ hɒstlz əsəʊsieɪʃn/
/ðə ˈjuːθ hɑːstlz əsəʊʃieɪʃn/, /ðə ˈjuːθ hɑːstlz əsəʊsieɪʃn/
(abbreviation the YHA)
- an organization that provides cheap accommodation (called youth hostels) for people who are travelling from place to place, usually on holiday. It was established in Britain in 1930 and is part of Hostelling International which operates in about 90 countries around the world. Despite the name, people of any age can stay in youth hostels.