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

Future updates also include a new main entrance and outdoor plaza. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Along with Sakauye’s name adorning the park, developers will erect a commemorative plaza in his honor. —Devan Patel, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

Among the several measures is the creation of a large plaza, around 66,740 square feet, on Plaça Gaudí in front of the basilica. —Charna Flam, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025

By midday local time, hundreds of visitors could be seen in St. Peter's Square, a large plaza in the heart of Vatican City where Francis made an appearance and gave a blessing on Easter Sunday after mass. —Jay Cannon, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for plaza

• causa

Kids Definition

plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplaz-ə  ˈpläz- 

: a public square in a city or town