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 play play /ˈpleɪ/

noun

  1. () A dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage  ( dramatic play , drama , play )
    a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
     He wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
    he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
  2. () A theatrical performance of a drama  ( play )
    a theatrical performance of a drama
     The play lasted two hours
    the play lasted two hours
  3. () A preset plan of action in team sports  ( play )
    a preset plan of action in team sports
     The coach drew up the plays for her team
    the coach drew up the plays for her team
  4. () A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill  ( maneuver [American] , manoeuvre [Canadian, British] , play )
    a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill
     He made a great maneuver
    he made a great maneuver
     The runner was out on a play by the shortstop
    the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
  5. () A state in which action is feasible  ( play )
    a state in which action is feasible
     The ball was still in play
    the ball was still in play
     Insiders said the company's stock was in play
    insiders said the company's stock was in play
  6. () Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules  ( child's play [Informal] , play )
    activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules
     Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
    Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
  7. () An attempt to get something  ( bid , play )
    an attempt to get something
     They made a futile play for power
    they made a futile play for power
     He made a bid to gain attention
    he made a bid to gain attention
  8. () Utilization or exercise  ( play )
    utilization or exercise
     The play of the imagination
    the play of the imagination
  9. The act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully  ( play , swordplay )
    the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
  10. The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)  ( gaming , play , gambling )
    the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
     His gambling cost him a fortune
    his gambling cost him a fortune
     There was heavy play at the blackjack table
    there was heavy play at the blackjack table
  11. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession  ( play , turn )
    (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
     It is my turn
    it is my turn
     It is still my play
    it is still my play
  12. Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement  ( caper [Informal] , gambol , play , frolic , romp )
    gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
     It was all done in play
    it was all done in play
     Their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
    their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
  13. Movement or space for movement  ( looseness , play )
    movement or space for movement
     There was too much play in the steering wheel
    there was too much play in the steering wheel
  14. Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)  ( play , sport , fun )
    verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
     He became a figure of fun
    he became a figure of fun
     He said it in sport
    he said it in sport
  15. A weak and tremulous light  ( play , shimmer )
    a weak and tremulous light
     The shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
    the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
     The play of light on the water
    the play of light on the water
  16. The removal of constraints  ( play , free rein )
    the removal of constraints
     He gave free rein to his impulses
    he gave free rein to his impulses
     They gave full play to the artist's talent
    they gave full play to the artist's talent
  17. (in games, plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds  ( period of play , play , playing period )
    (in games, plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
     Rain stopped play in the 4th inning
    rain stopped play in the 4th inning

verb

  1. () Participate in games or sport  ( play )
    participate in games or sport
     We played hockey all afternoon
    We played hockey all afternoon
     Play cards
    play cards
     Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
    Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
  2. () Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome  ( play )
    act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
     This factor played only a minor part in his decision
    This factor played only a minor part in his decision
     This development played into her hands
    This development played into her hands
     I played no role in your dismissal
    I played no role in your dismissal
  3. () Play on an instrument  ( play )
    play on an instrument
     The band played all night long
    The band played all night long
  4. () (performing arts) Perform a role or part  ( represent , act , play )
    (performing arts) Perform a role or part
     Gielgud played Hamlet
    Gielgud played Hamlet
     She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
    She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
     She played the servant to her husband's master
    She played the servant to her husband's master
  5. () Be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children  ( play )
    be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
     The kids were playing outside all day
    The kids were playing outside all day
     I used to play with trucks as a little girl
    I used to play with trucks as a little girl
  6. () Replay (as a melody)  ( spiel , play )
    replay (as a melody)
     Play it again, Sam
    Play it again, Sam
     She played the third movement very beautifully
    She played the third movement very beautifully
  7. () (music) perform music on (a musical instrument)  ( play )
    (music) perform music on (a musical instrument)
     He plays the flute
    He plays the flute
     Can you play on this old recorder?
    Can you play on this old recorder?
  8. () Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind  ( act as , act , play )
    pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
     He acted the idiot
    He acted the idiot
     She plays deaf when the news are bad
    She plays deaf when the news are bad
  9. () Bet or wager (money)  ( play )
    bet or wager (money)
     He played $20 on the new horse
    He played $20 on the new horse
     She plays the races
    She plays the races
  10. () Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly  ( play )
    move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
     The spotlights played on the politicians
    The spotlights played on the politicians
  11. () Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity  ( play )
    pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
     Let's play like I am mommy
    Let's play like I am mommy
     Play cowboy and Indians
    Play cowboy and Indians
  12. () Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion  ( recreate , play )
    engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion
     On weekends I play
    On weekends I play
     The students all recreate alike
    The students all recreate alike
  13. () Emit recorded sound  ( play )
    emit recorded sound
     The tape was playing for hours
    The tape was playing for hours
     The stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
    the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
  14. () Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously  ( toy , play )
    engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously
     They played games on their opponents
    They played games on their opponents
     Play the stock market
    play the stock market
     Play with her feelings
    play with her feelings
     Toy with an idea
    toy with an idea
  15. () Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game  ( play )
    put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game
     He is playing his cards close to his chest
    He is playing his cards close to his chest
     The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
    The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
  16. () (performing arts) perform on a certain location  ( play )
    (performing arts) perform on a certain location
     The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
    The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
     She has been playing on Broadway for years
    She has been playing on Broadway for years
  17. () Consider not very seriously  ( dally , trifle , play )
    consider not very seriously
     He is trifling with her
    He is trifling with her
     She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
    She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
  18. () Use to one's advantage  ( play )
    use to one's advantage
     She plays on her clients' emotions
    She plays on her clients' emotions
  19. () Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination  ( diddle [Informal] , fiddle , toy , play )
    manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination
     She played nervously with her wedding ring
    She played nervously with her wedding ring
     Don't fiddle with the screws
    Don't fiddle with the screws
     He played with the idea of running for the Senate
    He played with the idea of running for the Senate
  20. () Cause to emit recorded audio or video  ( play , run )
    cause to emit recorded audio or video
     They ran the tapes over and over again
    They ran the tapes over and over again
     I'll play you my favorite record
    I'll play you my favorite record
     He never tires of playing that video
    He never tires of playing that video
  21. () Behave in a certain way  ( play )
    behave in a certain way
     Play safe
    play safe
     Play it safe
    play it safe
     Play fair
    play fair
  22. Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line  ( play )
    exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
     Play a hooked fish
    play a hooked fish
  23. Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle  ( play , encounter , take on , meet )
    contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle
     Princeton plays Yale this weekend
    Princeton plays Yale this weekend
     Charlie likes to play Mary
    Charlie likes to play Mary
  24. Employ in a game or in a specific position  ( play )
    employ in a game or in a specific position
     They played him on first base
    They played him on first base
  25. Use or move  ( play )
    use or move
     I had to play my queen
    I had to play my queen
  26. Shoot or hit in a particular manner  ( play )
    shoot or hit in a particular manner
     She played a good backhand last night
    She played a good backhand last night
  27. Stake on the outcome of an issue  ( bet , play , wager )
    stake on the outcome of an issue
     I bet $100 on that new horse
    I bet $100 on that new horse
     She played all her money on the dark horse
    She played all her money on the dark horse
  28. Make bets  ( play )
    make bets
     Play the races
    Play the races
     Play the casinos in Trouville
    play the casinos in Trouville
  29. Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream  ( play )
    discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
     Play water from a hose
    play water from a hose
     The fountains played all day
    The fountains played all day
  30. Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence  ( play , wreak , work , bring , make for )
    cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
     I cannot work a miracle
    I cannot work a miracle
     Wreak havoc
    wreak havoc
     Bring comments
    bring comments
     Play a joke
    play a joke
     The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
    The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
  31. (performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing  ( play )
    (performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing
     What's playing in the local movie theater?
    What's playing in the local movie theater?
     Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
    Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
  32. (dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater  ( act , play , playact , roleplay )
    (dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
     She acts in this play
    She acts in this play
     He acted in Julius Caesar'
    He acted in Julius Caesar'
     I played in A Christmas Carol'
    I played in A Christmas Carol'
  33. Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space  ( play )
    cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
     The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
    The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
  34. Behave carelessly or indifferently  ( dally , flirt , play , toy )
    behave carelessly or indifferently
     Play about with a young girl's affection
    Play about with a young girl's affection
  35. Be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way  ( play )
    be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way
     This speech didn't play well with the American public
    This speech didn't play well with the American public
     His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
    His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee