placas

[plah-kuhz, plah-kahs]

plural noun

singular

placa 

1. (especially in the southwestern United States) graffiti, as of initials or slogans, spray-painted on an outdoor wall, especially in the lettering style and colors identified with an individual or a street gang.

Word History and Origins

Origin of placas¹

From Spanish (southwestern U.S.), Spanish: plural of placa “plate, tablet, slab,” from French plaque; plaque

Example Sentences

The placas were almost all the same, referencing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the president: “F— ICE.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hasta el año pasado, Lenovo traía un componente crucial, las llamadas placas base, desde una fábrica en China.

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Casi no tenía pelo y su cabeza y cuerpo tenían grandes placas de psoriasis escamosas y rojas.

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On 4 July, they reportedly burned an Ibama truck in Espigão d’Oeste, Rondônia state and last week they were said to have burned bridges in Placas, Pará state.

Read more on The Guardian

Leaning on the tree covered in placas, Arriaza said a single location filled with markings from more than one clique was historically rare, as they often don’t travel on each other’s turf.

Read more on Washington Post