esplanade

American  

[es-pluh-nahd, -neyd, es-pluh-nahd, -neyd] / ˈɛs pləˌnɑd, -ˌneɪd, ˌɛs pləˈnɑd, -ˈneɪd /

noun

1. any open, level space, especially one serving for public walks or drives.

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esplanade British  

/ -ˈnɑːd, ˌɛspləˈneɪd /

noun

1. a long open level stretch of ground for walking along, esp beside the seashore Compare promenade

2. an open area in front of a fortified place, in which attackers are exposed to the defenders' fire

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Etymology

Origin of esplanade

1675–85; < French < Italian spianata, noun use of feminine past participle of spianare < Latin explānāre to level; -ade ¹

Example Sentences

The hearing was told that a parked pop-top caravan meant the two men could not see what was on the road as they walked along part of the esplanade.

From BBC

The sandstone sculptures adorn the façade of the Scotch Whisky Experience, just in front of the Edinburgh Castle esplanade.

From BBC

There are also plans to redesign the esplanade, and to create a museum in the neighbouring Hôtel-Dieu hospital.

From BBC

In Timor-Leste, the Pope will officiate mass in the capital Dili, on the same seaside esplanade where John Paul II spoke in 1989 to comfort local Catholics who suffered under Indonesia's occupation of the territory.

From BBC

Amanda Kay, who was staying in the hotel on the main esplanade in Cairns, described seeing a helicopter flying "extra low", without lights in rainy weather.

From BBC