placas

[ plah-kuhz; Spanish plah-kahs ]

plural noun

, singular pla·ca [plah, -k, uh, plah, -kah].

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

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

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

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.

From 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.

From Washington Post

Placas: The Most Dangerous Tattoo A Salvadoran immigrant tries to escape his gang ties and reconnect with his family in Paul S. Flores' drama; Culture Clash's Ric Salinas stars.

From Los Angeles Times