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 : atmosphere2 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> carchaic : the three-dimensional compass of a material object3 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 : spot5: 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 numeral9 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 : plaza11: a small street or court12: 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 location2: improper, inappropriate