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

Once a quiet northern Sonoma county town with a cute plaza and not a lot else, Healdsburg began its life as a culinary destination when Charlie Palmer first opened Dry Creek Kitchen back in 2001. —Justin Goldman, AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025

The pathways around the pond in the Sakura Gardens extend into the residential area, leading to an observation plaza overlooking a large wetland. —Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025

At its center is a large, multi-purpose, open air central plaza that transforms from a relaxed seating area to an amphitheater or community space. —Kimberly Lyn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2025

Thousands of fans packed into the Callao plaza in the city center for the pop-up event, which include a 90-minute TikTok stream chronicling the singer’s prep and arrival. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Oct. 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