colectivo

American  

[koh-lek-tee-voh, kaw-lek-tee-vaw] / ˌkoʊ lɛkˈti voʊ, ˌkɔ lɛkˈti vɔ /

noun

• colectivos
  plural

1. a small public bus.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• colectivos
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of colectivo

First recorded in 1935–40; from Latin American Spanish: “public bus,” i.e., a vehicle used collectively; special use of Spanish: “collective,” from Latin collēctīvus collective

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

colectivo colectivos

Relaxing in the sun outside another colectivo, Radio23, in a white hoodie and wide Prada-labeled sunglasses, Glen Martinez is another well-known figure locally.

From Reuters ● Aug. 15, 2012

And she must deal with Diosdado Cabello, the interior minister in charge of weapons, military counter intelligence and the paramilitary known as the colectivos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

She knelt in front of the first officer she saw, told him she’d fled the colectivos, and pleaded for a chance to seek asylum.

From Slate ● Jan. 15, 2026

The embassy cautioned that “There are reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2026

But by early Wednesday, security forces and colectivos had surrounded the building, making it clear it would be difficult to convene.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 15, 2020

It ranges from military officers to businessmen, leftist ideologues and armed militants known as "colectivos," and it was largely Chavez's charisma that kept the coalition intact.

From Reuters ● Aug. 14, 2013

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