plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplä-zə  ˈpla- 

1

a

: a public square in a city or town

b

: an open area usually located near urban buildings and often featuring walkways, trees and shrubs, places to sit, and sometimes shops

2

: a place on a thoroughfare (such as a turnpike) at which all traffic must temporarily stop (as to pay tolls)

3

: an area adjacent to an expressway which has service facilities (such as a restaurant, gas station, and restrooms)

4

: shopping center

Examples of plaza in a Sentence

They put his statue in the town's plaza.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the winery, visitors can immerse themselves in educational tastings such as the Study of Pinot or the Terroir Experience, or spend an afternoon playing lawn games, sipping wine, and snacking on cheese and charcuterie in the new outdoor plaza. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024

The installation also illuminates the plaza with an array of glowing pathways and doorways that, when opened, give viewers a peek into various destinations that can only be reached by the imagination. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2024

Tailored to the needs of the country’s ageing population, the development includes senior-friendly public housing, a medical center, elder and childcare facilities, retail spaces, a food court, public plazas and rooftop gardens with an urban farm. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Officials also protested the decision by lighting up the plaza in front of City Hall in a glow of pink. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Latin platea broad street — more at place

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing plaza

• toll plaza

Kids Definition

plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplaz-ə  ˈpläz- 

: a public square in a city or town