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

Organizers expect the plaza to become a go-to destination for uptown office workers and city visitors alike. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025

The original buoy will be boxed off for about a year during plaza renovations. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

Suddenly, everyone is sniping in the middle of this gorgeous plaza in their polka-dot dresses, and nothing is going forward except for Guerdy and Kiki’s embarrassment that they’re once again lumped in with these relentless squawkers. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

In October, the Opry's birthday month, shows will be special birthday performances with photo opportunities, parties in the plaza, and other special events. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 26 Aug. 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