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

Fifteen years after that, when changes in the plaza led to raise in rent, Replay found a new home on a different stretch of Whitney Avenue in Hamden in 2007 and has been there ever since. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025

The area also includes plazas and gathering spaces, seating and public artwork. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 3 July 2025

The third annual Disability Pride Month March and Rally takes place July 12 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., with participants marching around the main library and plaza starting at 11 a.m. Attendees are invited to make signs and ribbon wands from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. before the parade. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025

One location sits in the plaza just outside the IMS’ iconic Pagoda. —Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 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