Main Entry: pla·za

Pronunciation: \ˈpla-zə, ˈplä-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Spanish, from Latin platea broad street — more at place

Date: 1683

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 (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 (as a restaurant, gas station, and restrooms)
4 : shopping center