AVE

See also: ave, ave., 'ave, avé, avè, avë, Ave, and Ave.

Spanish

Etymology

Acronym of Alta Velocidad Española (literally “Spanish high-speed”), a word-play with ave (“bird”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈabe/ [ˈa.β̞e]
• Rhymes: -abe
• Hyphenation: A‧VE

Noun

AVE m (plural AVEs)

1. (Spain) high-speed rail, high-speed train
   • 2021 March 31, “El AVE a La Meca reanuda su actividad comercial tras el parón por la pandemia”, in CincoDías‎^[1]:

     El AVE a la Meca es el primer tren de alta velocidad que opera en un entorno desértico […]

     The high-speed line to Mecca is the first to operate in a desert environment […]

Usage notes

The term originally referred to Renfe's flagship high-speed train service. However, it is commonly used in Spain as a synonym for línea de alta velocidad or tren de alta velocidad (even when referring to high-speed rail in other countries).

Proper noun

AVE m

1. (trademark) A high-speed rail service in Spain operated by Renfe.

Further reading

• “AVE”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014