plaza

[plah-zuh, plaz-uh]

noun

1. a public square or open space in a city or town.

2. shopping plaza.

3. an area along an expressway where public facilities, as service stations and restrooms, are available.

plaza

/ ˈplaθa, ˈplɑːzə /

noun

1. an open space or square, esp in Spain or a Spanish-speaking country

2. 1. a modern complex of shops, buildings, and parking areas

   2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Rockefeller Plaza

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaza¹

First recorded in 1675–85; from Spanish, from Latin platea “street,” from Greek plateîa “broad street”; place

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaza¹

C17: from Spanish, from Latin platēa courtyard, from Greek plateia; see _place

Example Sentences

The same day, thousands watched a giant screen in a public plaza in Tel Aviv that has become known as Hostages Square.

Read more on BBC

"To the hostages themselves: you are coming home," Witkoff said, prompting applause and cheers from thousands gathered at the Tel Aviv plaza known as Hostages' Square.

Read more on Barron's

The plaza hosts clothing stores and beauty salons, catering for weddings and other special occasions.

Read more on BBC

I met my hosts at the restaurant’s entrance, made to look like a pueblo plaza complete with a huge water fountain, towering church steeple and a pink exterior better suited for a spoonful of Pepto-Bismol.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A city-hired consultant came up with several cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of a public plaza originally planned as part of the expansion.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• park 
• square