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

Authorities said the gunshot came from about 200 yards away, likely from a perch atop the Losee Center building, which is on the opposite side of the plaza from where Kirk was speaking. —Michael Ruiz , Peter D'abrosca , Julia Bonavita , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , David Spunt , Cb Cotton, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025

The street will get a makover that will include protected bike lanes, widers sidewalk and a pedestrian plaza — all aimed at improving safety. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Security at 9/11 commemorations in New York is typically extensive, with street closures, heavy police presence and the Lower Manhattan memorial plaza closed to the public. —Amanda Castro gabe Whisnant anna Commander toby Meyjes shane Croucher john Feng joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Hidden down some stairs in a commercial plaza, Down Dog Sedona orchestrates profoundly relaxing sound baths, among other wellness offerings. —New York Times, 10 Sep. 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