n.
Pronunciation: ' pla-z ə , ' plä-
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish, from Latin platea broad street ― more at PLACE
Date: 1683
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 (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 (as a restaurant, gas station, and restrooms)
4 : SHOPPING CENTER