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

The Los Angeles protest at the historic Mexican plaza was organized by the Party for Socialism & Liberation. —Andrea Klick, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

The plaza has hosted music stars, local grocers and popular spots like Milam’s Market, Matsuri and Yesterday & Today Records. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026

Pellegrino is a tiny, fiery chef who seems ready to see the plaza filled with sports fans. —Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026

Hundreds of people gathered in the small town to follow the farewell on large screens set up at the port and on two plazas. —CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

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