plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplä-zə  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

Examples of plaza in a Sentence

They put his statue in the town's plaza.

Recent Examples on the Web

Work is expected to begin later this year at the station to replace the existing platform shelters, create a new plaza and sidewalks, and address stormwater management needs. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

Yes, the No. 1 eyewitness to the murder of cosmetics researcher-developer Hayley Ritter is performing his civic duty internationally, thanks to Iris, the 24/7 video portal linking a little plaza in Manhattan and a tiny Scottish fishing village. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025

Miami Beach will remove the pedestrian plaza and bike lanes from Ocean Drive, returning two-way car traffic to the South Beach street for the first time in nearly five years. —Martin Vassolo, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

There are also plans for an expansion of The Cabin literary organization, a new plaza and connections to the Boise River Greenbelt. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 3 Feb. 2025

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

• toll plaza

Rhymes for plaza

• causa

Kids Definition

plaza

noun

pla·​za ˈplaz-ə  ˈpläz- 

: a public square in a city or town