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

On Halloween, the plaza appeared to get up and simply walk away thanks to Xavier Mozejewski, a Hollywood set designer, who designed a wearable costume that looked just like one of the plaza’s three buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials also protested the decision by lighting up the plaza in front of City Hall in a glow of pink.

From Los Angeles Times

It has two plazas with temple pyramids, where Mayans would have worshipped, hidden treasures like jade masks and buried their dead.

From BBC

This garage provides access to the TikTok- and Instagram-worthy pedestrian bridge above Prairie Avenue, which connects to the plaza leading into the arena.

From Los Angeles Times

A line formed out the door, even as the shopping plaza around the small restaurant was desolate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• park
• square