Times Square
Definition
A major commercial intersection, tourist destination, and entertainment center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, famous for its massive digital billboards and neon signage.
A symbolic hub of American commercialism that often serves as a volatile stage for public discourse regarding cultural representation, modern art, and social identity.
A frequently misused term for generic entertainment venues or shopping centers outside of New York that aspire to replicate the density of the original site.
Examples
If you enjoy the sensation of being trapped in a human pinball machine while blinded by advertisements for musicals you haven't seen, Times Square is essentially your spiritual home.
The recent installation of a 12-foot sculpture proves that the only thing more competitive than finding a decent slice of pizza in Times Square is hosting a piece of art that doesn't trigger a national debate on Twitter.
I told my friends we were going to Times Square, but due to a GPS glitch, we ended up in a bowling alley in Katy, Texas, which is arguably a better move for our collective blood pressure.
Walking through Times Square on a Tuesday night is a humbling reminder that regardless of your personal growth, there is always someone standing in the middle of the sidewalk taking a panoramic photo of nothing.