# plaza

/ˈpɫæzə/ (US) · /plˈɑːzɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plaza
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. public square

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

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

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

- There is a small plaza down the street with a grocery store and a pharmacy.
- The developer transformed the derelict industrial site into a modern retail plaza, attracting several high-end fashion brands to the suburban neighbourhood.

## Examples

- The town plaza is full of people on Saturday mornings.
- The local government decided to install new benches and a fountain in the central plaza to encourage tourism.
- Architects designed the new office complex around a central plaza, creating a communal space that bridges the gap between private corporate interests and public urban life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.