plaza

plaza — noun

1. a broad open space in a town or city where people can walk, meet, rest, or gathe

1.nounB1
Definition

a broad open space in a town or city where people can walk, meet, rest, or gather for public events, especially in places shaped by Spanish-speaking traditions.

Example

Tourists gathered in the plaza to watch dancers after sunset.

pattern: gather in the plaza

A stone fountain stands in the plaza outside the old church.

typical feature: plaza fountain

Common collocations
  • central plaza
  • plaza fountain
  • town plaza
  • gather in the plaza
Synonyms
  • square

    the closest general word for an open public space in a town

  • piazza

    more strongly linked with Italy and often a travel or architectural context

  • courtyard

    usually enclosed by one building or a building group, not a town center

Grammar Patterns

in the plaza

across the plaza

gather in the plaza

Usage Note

Usually names an outdoor public square near other town buildings. Distinguish from sense 2, which refers to a built shopping site rather than an open civic space.

Common Mistakes

Let's meet at plaza at six.
Let's meet at the plaza at six.
this countable noun normally needs an article or a place name.
We sat inside the plaza and watched the band.
We sat in the plaza and watched the band.
a plaza in this sense is usually open air, not an enclosed place.

2. a small commercial center planned as one site, usually with several stores and s

2.nounB1
Definition

a small commercial center planned as one site, usually with several stores and sometimes offices, restaurants, and parking.

Example

Maya stopped at the plaza to pick up medicine and bread.

pattern: at the plaza

The new dentist moved her office into the plaza beside the supermarket.

plaza with shops and offices

Common collocations
  • shopping plaza
  • small plaza
  • stores in the plaza
  • plaza parking lot
Synonyms
  • shopping center

    the broadest near-equivalent for a group of stores

  • mall

    often larger, and many malls are enclosed buildings

  • complex

    more general; can refer to many kinds of building groups, not just shops

Grammar Patterns

at the plaza

in the plaza

stores in the plaza

Usage Note

Refers to the whole commercial development, not to one single business inside it. Distinguish from sense 1, where the word names an open public square.

Common Mistakes

The bakery is a plaza near the station.
The bakery is in a plaza near the station.
the plaza is the whole group of businesses, not one store.
We met in the plaza fountain area.
We met at the plaza.
in this sense, people usually refer to the shopping site as a whole.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, plaza is close to square, but plaza often suggests a broad public space used for meeting, walking, or events, and it is especially common in places influenced by Spanish. Square is the most general choice in English and fits many towns and cities. Piazza is mainly used for Italian settings or when the speaker wants a more European or architectural tone. Courtyard is different because it is usually surrounded by one building or a group of buildings, not part of the town's open public center. You can say, 'We met in the plaza before the parade,' but 'The hotel has a quiet courtyard.'

squarepiazzacourtyard ↗