Main Entry: ¹place

Pronunciation: \ˈplās\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, open space, from Latin platea broad street, from Greek plateia (hodos), from feminine of platys broad, flat; akin to Sanskrit pṛthu broad, Latin planta sole of the foot

Date: 13th century

1 a : physical environment : space b : a way for admission or transit c : physical surroundings : atmosphere
2 a : an indefinite region or expanse <all over the place> b : a building or locality used for a special purpose <a place of learning> <a fine eating place> c archaic : the three-dimensional compass of a material object
3 a : a particular region, center of population, or location <a nice place to visit> b : a building, part of a building, or area occupied as a home <our summer place>
4 : a particular part of a surface or body : spot
5 : relative position in a scale or series: as a : position in a social scale <kept them in their place> b : a step in a sequence <in the first place, it's none of your business> c : a position at the conclusion of a competition <finished in last place>
6 a : a proper or designated niche or setting <the place of education in society> b : an appropriate moment or point <this is not the place to discuss compensation — Robert Moses> c : a distinct condition, position, or state of mind <the postfeminist generation is in a different place — Betty Friedan>
7 a : an available seat or accommodation <needs a place to stay> b : an empty or vacated position <new ones will take their place>
8 : the position of a figure in relation to others of a row or series; especially : the position of a digit within a numeral
9 a : remunerative employment : job b : prestige accorded to one of high rank : status <an endless quest for preferment and place — Time>
10 : a public square : plaza
11 : a small street or court
12 : second place at the finish (as of a horse race)

— in place 1also into place a : in an original or proper position b : established, instituted, or operational <systems in place>
2 : in the same spot without forward or backward movement <run in place>

— in place of : as a substitute or replacement for : instead of

— out of place 1 : not in the proper or usual location
2 : improper, inappropriate