esplanade

[es-pluh-nahd, -neyd, es-pluh-nahd, -neyd]

noun

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

esplanade

/ -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

Word History and Origins

Origin of esplanade¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of esplanade¹

C17: from French, from Old Italian spianata, from spianare to make level, from Latin explānāre; see _explain

Example Sentences

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

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

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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.

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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.

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People crossing the bridge can catch cycling and triathlon events, or look down to watch swimming events in the Seine River, before walking over toward a grassy esplanade which leads to Les Invalides.

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