play meaning and definition

PLAY noun

Definition of play (noun)

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

PLAY verb

Definition of play (verb)

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