[pla.za] n [Sp, fr. L platea broad street--more at place] (1683) 1 a: a public square in a city or town b: an open area usu. 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, service station, and rest rooms)
5: shopping center