place

¹place

noun \ˈplās\

Definition of PLACE

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

1

also 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

Examples of PLACE

1. New York City is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
2. I've heard it's a good place to raise children.
3. places like Africa and South America
4. the hottest place on earth
5. churches and other places of worship
6. You should plan to meet him in a public place.
7. You've come to the right place. I have just what you need.
8. They gave him a place to stay for the night.
9. We're going to need a bigger place once the baby is born.
10. He's looking to buy a place in the country.

Origin of PLACE

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

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PLACE

Synonyms

emplacement, locale, locality, location, locus, point, position, site, spot, venue, where

Related Words

scene; precinct, region, section, sector; here, there

Near Antonyms

avocation; joblessness, unemployment

Rhymes with PLACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, face, grace, lace, mace, Mace, Naas, pace, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace

²place

verb

placedplac·ing

Definition of PLACE

transitive verb

1

a : to put in or as if in a particular place or position : set

b : to present for consideration <a question placed before the group>

c : to put in a particular state <place a performer under contract>

d : to direct to a desired spot

e : to cause (the voice) to produce free and well resonated singing or speaking tones

2

a : to assign to a position in a series or category : rank

b : estimate <placed the value of the estate too high>

c : to identify by connecting with an associated context <couldn't quite place her face> <police placed them at the crime scene>

3

: to distribute in an orderly manner : arrange

4

: to appoint to a position

5

: to find a place (as a home or employment) for

6

a : to give (an order) to a supplier

b : to give an order for <place a bet>

c : to try to establish a connection for <place a telephone call>

intransitive verb

: to earn a given spot in a competition; specifically : to come in second (as in a horse race)

— place·able \ˈplā-sə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of PLACE

1. The box was placed at the center of the room.
2. You can really see the similarities when you place the two pictures side by side.
3. Her name was placed on the list.
4. The husbands and wives were placed in separate groups.
5. They were placed next to each other in line.
6. Working with sick people places him at risk for infection.
7. By not accepting the prosecutor's deal, he places his future in the hands of the jury.
8. We're placing you under arrest.
9. He was released from jail and placed on probation.

First Known Use of PLACE

15th century

Related to PLACE

Synonyms

depose, deposit, dispose, emplace, fix, lay, position, put, set, set up, situate, stick

Antonyms

discharge, dismiss, expel, fire

Related Words

move, rearrange, reorder, shift; orient; establish, locate, plant, settle; clap, flop, plank, plop, plump, plunk (or plonk), plunk down, slap; ensconce, niche; assemble, collect; carry; berth, park; affix, anchor, lock, lodge, wedge; array, lay out, line up, queue, rank; set down

Near Antonyms

relocate, remove, take; banish; dislodge, displace, replace, supersede, supplant