I. ˈplazə, -läzə, -lȧzə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin plattea broad street, plaza, from Latin platea street, courtyard — more at place
1. : a public square in a city or town : an open square : marketplace
2. : a broad paved open-air area used for the parking or servicing of motor vehicles or for the channeling of motor traffic
3. : the section of a toll road at which the tollbooths are located — called also toll plaza
4. : shopping center
II. noun
1. : an area adjacent to an expressway which has service facilities (as a restaurant, a filling station, and rest rooms)
2. : an open area usually located near urban buildings and often featuring pedestrian walkways, trees, places to sit, and sometimes shops