Avenue Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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avenue
[ˈæv.ən.juː ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Noun
city streets
A wide road in a city or town, typically having trees at regular intervals along its sides.
Synonyms
boulevard, street, thoroughfare.
Examples of usage
- She walked down the avenue lined with shops and cafes.
- The parade marched along the avenue, waving flags and banners.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Urban Planning
- Avenues are usually wider than streets, allowing for more traffic and often including sidewalks.
- In many cities, avenues are arranged in a grid pattern, making navigation easier.
- Some avenues are named after famous people or events, contributing to local history and identity.
Literature and Art
- Avenues often serve as symbols of journeys and exploration in literature, representing the choices we make.
- In art, avenues can depict the hustle and bustle of urban life, capturing the essence of city living.
- Famous literary works may use avenues to set the scene, creating vivid imagery of the characters' surroundings.
Cultural Significance
- Avenues can become cultural landmarks, hosting festivals, parades, and local markets.
- They often reflect the history of a city, showcasing styles of architecture and urban development.
- In many cultures, avenues are central to community life, serving as meeting places and routes for transportation.
Environmental Design
- Today, many avenues are designed with green spaces in mind, including trees and parks.
- Urban planners focus on making avenues more pedestrian-friendly to encourage walking and reduce traffic.
- Avenues can facilitate biodiversity by incorporating plants and green areas into the urban landscape.
Origin of 'avenue'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'avenue', meaning 'way' or 'to come'.
- It entered English in the late 15th century, originally referring to a road leading to a place.
- Historically, avenues were often designed for a specific purpose, such as leading to a grand house.
The word 'avenue' originated from the French word 'avenu' which means 'a way to approach or access'. It was first used in English in the late 16th century to refer to a tree-lined street. Over time, it evolved to represent a wide road in a city or town. Avenues have historically been associated with elegance and grandeur, often lined with trees and prestigious buildings.