plaza
UK: ˈplɑːzə | US: ˈplæzə
n. a public square or marketplace, especially in a Spanish-speaking country
n. a shopping center or complex
The word "plaza" originates from Spanish, where it means "public square" or "marketplace." It traces back to the Latin "platea," meaning "broad street" or "open space," which itself derives from the Greek "plateia (hodos)," meaning "broad (way)." The term was adopted into English to describe open public spaces, particularly in Spanish-influenced regions, and later extended to modern shopping centers.
The city's central plaza was filled with vendors and musicians.
We met at the plaza near the fountain.
The new shopping plaza includes a cinema and several restaurants.
The historic plaza is a popular tourist attraction.
They held a festival in the town plaza last weekend.