plaza

Etymology

From Spanish plaza (“town-square or central place of gathering”), from Latin platea, from Ancient Greek πλατεῖα (plateîa), clipping of πλατεῖα ὁδός (plateîa hodós, “broad way”). Doublet of piatza, piazza, and place.

noun

1. A town's public square.
2. An open area used for gathering in a city, often having small trees and sitting benches.
3. (Canada, US) A strip mall.
4. A shopping mall.