plaza
noun
pla·za ˈplä-zə 
ˈpla-
ˈpla- 1
a
: a public square in a city or town
b
: an open area usually located near urban buildings and often featuring walkways, trees and shrubs, places to sit, and sometimes shops
2
: a place on a thoroughfare (such as a turnpike) at which all traffic must temporarily stop (as to pay tolls)
3
: an area adjacent to an expressway which has service facilities (such as a restaurant, gas station, and restrooms)
4
: shopping center
Example Sentences
They put his statue in the town's plaza.
Recent Examples on the Web Fat Boyz is expected to debut its second storefront in September inside the former Charlie’s Fish Fry & Seafood east of Federal Highway (next to Hillsboro Square plaza). 
Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Among the more intriguing transformations: Chick Hearn Court will be converted from a street to a pedestrian plaza. Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2022 Officers tracked the man down to the plaza at Center Ridge and Porter, where he was taken into custody without further incident. Bruce Geiselman, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2022 The headquarters was temporarily moved to a plaza in College Hill on Hamilton Avenue, but it's proven to be a tough place to operate since it's rented, shares a parking lot with a child care center and stores, and is in poor shape too. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 25 May 2022 Japanese American National Museum, outdoor plaza, 100 N. Central Ave. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2022 The plaza, built in 1972, also is home to Ace Hardware, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and My Gym Aventura, among others. Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 The plaza, usually a place of fun, turned chaotic last weekend when a gunman opened fire, injuring seven people. Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 The master plan calls for 585 residential units in three buildings, four lab facilities, retail space, parks and a plaza, underground parking, and a new grocery store, with buildings ranging in height from 9 to 22 stories. Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Among the more intriguing transformations: Chick Hearn Court will be converted from a street to a pedestrian plaza. Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2022 Officers tracked the man down to the plaza at Center Ridge and Porter, where he was taken into custody without further incident. Bruce Geiselman, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2022 The headquarters was temporarily moved to a plaza in College Hill on Hamilton Avenue, but it's proven to be a tough place to operate since it's rented, shares a parking lot with a child care center and stores, and is in poor shape too. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 25 May 2022 Japanese American National Museum, outdoor plaza, 100 N. Central Ave. Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2022 The plaza, built in 1972, also is home to Ace Hardware, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and My Gym Aventura, among others. Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 The plaza, usually a place of fun, turned chaotic last weekend when a gunman opened fire, injuring seven people. Amanda Rabines, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2022 The master plan calls for 585 residential units in three buildings, four lab facilities, retail space, parks and a plaza, underground parking, and a new grocery store, with buildings ranging in height from 9 to 22 stories. Catherine Carlock, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Spanish, from Latin platea broad street — more at place
First Known Use
1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing plaza
Kids Definition
plaza
noun
pla·za ˈpla-zə
ˈplä-
: a public square in a city or town
plazas
noun
as in squares
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- squares
- gallerias
- forecourts
- terraces
- courtyards
- peristyles
- atria
- places
- atriums
- patios
- decks
- quadrangles
- courts
- yards
- enclosures
- quads
- parvises
- closes
- inclosures
- curtilages