Terminalia alata is a large deciduous straight-stemmed tree with spreading branches and a dense crown. It attains a height of 30 meters or more. The bark of the tree is grey and black with deep longitudinal fissure and transverse cracks. The wood is coarse, fairly straight-grained, dull to somewhat lustrous, and without any smell or taste. Its heartwood varies from light brown to dark brown or brownish-black. The sapwood is reddish-white and sharply differentiated.
The heartwood of Terminalia alata is moderately durable and the sapwood is liable to powder-post beetle attack. The wood is used for furniture, cabinetwork, joinery, paneling, specialty items, boat-building, railroad cross-ties, and decorative veneers. The leaves are elliptic or ovate with 1-2 glands near the base.

It bears dull yellow flowers in terminal and axillary panicles. The fruits are up to 5cm long with 5 broad, coriaceous, horizontally veined wings.