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

Her administration removed parking spaces and banned cars from entire streets and plazas. —Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026

The event will be held in partnership with the Del Mar Farmers Market, which will be operating the regular weekly market simultaneously in the lower plaza, according to a news release. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

The corporate-esque recent Music Center plaza could use a little excitement, maybe a Phase II. —Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026

The 30,000 square-foot outdoor plaza, along with SugarBird, will also include Highball Social Club, a 15,200 square-foot experiential restaurant and bar, which is expected to open in the fall. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

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