Definition of plaza
1a : a public square in a city or townb : 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
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Examples of plaza in a Sentence
They put his statue in the town's plaza.
Recent Examples of plaza from the Web
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Such closures have been occurring on a rotating basis for a couple of weeks as the Turnpike Authority’s contractor upgrades the toll plaza, Bell said.
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The plaza will serve as space for community gatherings including the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, City Night Out, and other events.
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Basically, motorists will pay an upfront cost, avoiding having to stop at the plaza.
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After decades as a parking lot, the site opened as a public plaza on Wednesday with a party including music and food.
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The Western Wall, or Kotel, is the holiest site where Jews can pray, and its main plaza is divided into separate men’s and women’s prayer sections.
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The Obama Foundation displayed drawings and a miniature model of the center, which will also include a public plaza and classrooms.
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A plaza is also planned, along with a 75-space parking area, the main entrance off Frankfort and a walking path leading to Beargrass Creek.
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The chain is also working on a second Tinley location near 171st Street and Harlem in the Jewel-Osco plaza.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plaza.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of plaza
Spanish, from Latin platea broad street — more at place
PLAZA Defined for English Language Learners
plaza
playDefinition of plaza for English Language Learners
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: an open public area that is usually near city buildings and that often has trees and bushes and places to sit, walk, and shop
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: an area on or next to a highway having restaurants, gas stations, restrooms, etc.
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: a place where you stop to pay money before going onto a highway
PLAZA Defined for Kids
plaza
playDefinition of plaza for Students
: a public square in a city or town
Learn More about plaza
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See words that rhyme with plaza Spanish Central: Translation of plaza Nglish: Translation of plaza for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of plaza for Arabic speakers
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