Esplanade

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪd

Origin

1590s, from French esplanade ("clear, level space"), from Spanish esplanada (explanada), form of esplanar ("to flatten, to make level"), from Latin explānāre, from which English explain; see also plain ("level area, to flatten"), and Italian spianata, from spianare.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of esplanade

Noun

1. A clear space between a citadel and the nearest houses of the town.
2. The glacis of the counterscarp, or the slope of the parapet of the covered way toward the country.
3. A grass plat; a lawn.
4. Any clear, level space used for public walks or drives; especially, a terrace by the seaside.

Synonyms

• (public walk) promenade

Related terms

• explain
• plain