esplanade

noun

es·​pla·​nade ˈe-splə-ˌnäd How to pronounce esplanade (audio)
ˌe-splə-ˈnäd,
 also  ˌe-splə-ˈnād,
 or  ˈe-splə-ˌnād
: a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground
especially : one designed for walking or driving along a shore

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

a tree-lined esplanade by the river
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
It was razed and turned into a grassy esplanade called Centennial Park. Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2024 The approximately 11-acre, concrete-laden public esplanade was designed by Modernist artist Isamu Noguchi and formally dedicated in 1979. Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2024 On a new esplanade overlooking the canal, an odor review was solicited from a shirtless man in his thirties, a resident of an adjacent luxury condo. Jake Offenhartz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 Across the esplanade at Disney California Adventure park, Avenger’s Campus will more than double in size, with construction beginning in 2025. Natasha Chen, CNN, 11 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for esplanade 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Italian spianata, from spianare to level, from Latin explanare — more at explain

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of esplanade was in 1591

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near esplanade

Cite this Entry

“Esplanade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esplanade. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

esplanade

noun
es·​pla·​nade ˈes-plə-ˌnäd How to pronounce esplanade (audio)
ˌes-plə-ˈ
: a level open stretch or area
especially : one for walking or driving along a shore

More from Merriam-Webster on esplanade

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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