esplanade
noun
Did you know?
The history of "esplanade" is completely on the level. The Italians created "spianata," for a level stretch of ground, from their verb "spianare," which means "to make level." "Spianare" in turn comes from the Latin verb explanare, which also means "to make level" and which is the source of our verb "explain." Middle-French speakers borrowed "spianata" as "esplanade," and in the late 1500s we borrowed the French word. In the late 17th century, and even later, esplanades were associated with war. The word was used to refer to a clear space between a citadel and the nearest house of a town or to a slope around a fortification used for defense against attack. Today, however, esplanades are usually for enjoyment.
Examples of esplanade in a Sentence
Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
On esplanades and trails, by the water or the mountains, and in the city or the country: Everyone’s walking in a weighted vest.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2025
Iger Era: 2005-2014 Total points: 17 Bob Iger became Disney CEO in 2005 and soon after announced a $1.1 billion plan to fix Disney California Adventure after a dismal start to the second gate across the esplanade from Disneyland.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
Built on an esplanade right next to the Gare de Lausanne, the main train station, and with tracks still visible from its days as the railyard repair shop, the ambitious new Plateforme 10 arts district is exciting news for museum fans.
—John Oseid, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for esplanade
Cite this Entry
“Esplanade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esplanade. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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esplanade
noun
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