Courtyard vs. Plaza — What's the Difference?

A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary architects as a typical and traditional building feature.

A public square or similar open area in a town or city.

An open space surrounded by walls or buildings, adjoining or within a building such as a large house or housing complex.

A widened roadway forming the approach to tollbooths on a highway.

An area, open to the sky, partially or wholly surrounded by walls or buildings.

A parking or service area next to a highway.

A court or inclosure attached to a house.

A shopping center.

A yard wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings;

A town's public square.

An open area used for gathering in a city, often having small trees and sitting benches.

(North America) A strip mall.

A shopping mall.

A public square in a city or town.

A public square with room for pedestrians;

Mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace;