A spa is a place where people go to relax and take care of their bodies through special treatments. At a spa, you might soak in a hot tub, get a massage, have mud or cream applied to your skin, or sit in a steam room. The word comes from a Belgian town called Spa, famous for its natural hot springs where people went to bathe and heal for centuries.

Modern spas range from simple day spas in shopping centers to luxurious resort spas at fancy hotels. Some spas focus on health and relaxation, while others emphasize beauty treatments like facials or manicures. Many spas have pools, saunas, and quiet rooms designed to help visitors feel calm and refreshed.

The word also appears in hot tub spa, which refers to a heated pool with jets that bubble and massage. You might see one in someone's backyard or at a hotel pool.

When someone says they're going to the spa, they usually mean they're taking time to rest and pamper themselves. After a stressful week, your mom might visit a spa for a massage. The idea is to leave feeling more relaxed and renewed than when you arrived.