plaza
Plaza (noun) means an open public square in a town or city. Example: “Tourists gathered in the plaza to watch the street performers.”
How to use plaza
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn open square, or in American English, a small shopping centre.
Word forms
plazas plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tourists gathered in the _____ to watch the street performers.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish plaza ("town square"), from Latin platea, ultimately from Greek plateia ("broad street"). A doublet of piazza and place.
Related words
Rhymes for plaza
See all rhymes for plaza →Frequently asked questions
What does “plaza” mean?
The word “plaza” means an open public square in a town or city. In plain terms, an open square, or in American English, a small shopping centre.
How do you pronounce “plaza”?
“Plaza” is pronounced PLA-zuh (/ˈplɑːzə/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaza” in a sentence?
Here is “plaza” used in a sentence: “Tourists gathered in the plaza to watch the street performers.”
What is another word for “plaza”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plaza” include square.
What part of speech is “plaza”?
“Plaza” is a noun.
Where does the word “plaza” come from?
The word “plaza” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish plaza ("town square"), from Latin platea, ultimately from Greek plateia ("broad street"). A doublet of piazza and place.
Is “plaza” a common word?
“Plaza” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plaza” have?
“Plaza” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an open public square in a town or city.
What is the difference between a plaza and a square?
Both words can mean an open public space in a town or city, and they are often interchangeable. "Plaza" can also refer to a shopping centre or strip mall, a meaning that "square" does not usually carry. "Square" is the more general English term for a public open space.
What is the difference between a plaza and a mall?
A "mall" is typically an enclosed shopping complex under one roof. A "plaza" can be an open public square, or an open-air shopping centre or strip mall. The main contrast is that a plaza is usually open, while a mall is enclosed.
What is the difference between a plaza and a courtyard?
A "plaza" is an open public square, freely accessible to people in a town or city. A "courtyard" is an open area enclosed by walls or buildings, and is often private or semi-private. A plaza is public and open, while a courtyard is enclosed and more contained.
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