What does "plaza" mean?

1. (public square) an open public square or walking area in a city, often with trees and benches. 2. (shopping area) a shopping centre or a group of shops with a shared parking lot.

plaza

US //ˈpɫæzə// UK //plˈɑːzɐ// plaza

1 public square (n.)
B1 Intermediate

an open public square or walking area in a city, often with trees and benches.

an open urban space, typically pedestrianised, designed for public gathering and social interaction.

Example

We met in the central plaza to watch the street performers.

Example

The city council commissioned a new fountain for the central plaza to encourage more residents to use the public space during the summer months.
2 shopping area (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English

a shopping centre or a group of shops with a shared parking lot.

a commercial complex or shopping mall, often featuring a variety of retail stores and services.

Example

There is a small plaza down the street with a grocery store and a pharmacy.

Example

The developer transformed the derelict industrial site into a modern retail plaza, attracting several high-end fashion brands to the suburban neighbourhood.
- shopping centre
- mall
- strip mall

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish plaza (“town-square or central place of gathering”), from Latin platea, from Ancient Greek πλατεῖα (plateîa), clipping of πλατεῖα ὁδός (plateîa hodós, “broad way”). Doublet of piatza, piazza, and place.