Ave Maria
Americannoun
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(italics) the first two words of the Latin version of a prayer in the Roman Catholic Church, based on the salutation of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and the words of Elizabeth to her.
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a recitation of this prayer.
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the bead or beads on a rosary used to count off each prayer as spoken.
noun
Etymology
Origin of Ave Maria
Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at ave
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome's southern EUR district, bells played "Ave Maria" for Riccardo as hundreds of people spilled out into the street, far too many to fit inside.
From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026
When he began reciting Ave Maria, a deep hum rose as the square followed suit, with some praying in their own languages.
From BBC • May 8, 2025
Since last year, she has had a new marketing tool: Ave Maria is “certified” as a blue zone, a place geared to helping people live healthy, active lives.
From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2024
He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2007, then graduated in 2010 from the Ave Maria School of Law in Florida, the website said.
From Seattle Times • May 21, 2023
After the cross had been planted on the mountain, each one said the Paternoster and Ave Maria, and adored it, and the Kings did the like.
From The Story of Magellan and The Discovery of the Philippines by Butterworth, Hezekiah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
