zócalo

American  

[saw-kah-law, soh-kuh-loh] / ˈsɔ kɑˌlɔ, ˈsoʊ kəˌloʊ /

noun

Mexican Spanish.

• zócalos
  plural

1. a public square or plaza, especially in the center of a city or town.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• zócalos
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zócalo zócalos

Police form a protective shield in the during the protests in the zócalo.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

This week in Mexico City’s central plaza, or zócalo, workers have been erecting a more-than 50-foot-tall replica of the emblematic Templo Mayor, the main sanctuary of the Mexicas, as the Aztecs called themselves.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2021

Colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century, it sits just uphill from the lagoon and is centered around a large main square, or zócalo, anchored by the Fort of San Felipe.

From New York Times ● Dec. 24, 2019

Afterward, we navigate the morning crowds of el zócalo as we head to a small restaurant across the market.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2019

In the zócalo, the city’s central square, under a canopy of lights, farmers display elaborate sculptures — nativity scenes, robed kings, musicians — all carved out of the giant radishes grown locally.

From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2011

There are free associations of family, flowers, colored stones and animals, zócalos, little lost towns.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2017