1. a mixture of spices, either ground into a powder or used whole, used in Indian and South Asian cooking
Usage: often used in combination with other words (e.g., garam masala, curry masala); borrowed from Hindi/Urdu
2. a dish or meal prepared with masala spices
Usage: informal usage, less common than sense 1

Examples

• Garam masala is a fundamental spice blend in Indian cuisine.
• She added a teaspoon of masala to the curry.
• The recipe calls for toasting the masala seeds before grinding them.
• Different regions of India use different masala combinations.
• I bought a jar of premade masala at the grocery store.
• The chef prepared a special masala for the biryani.