play

1 of 2

verb

played; playing; plays

intransitive verb

1
a
: to engage in sport or recreation : frolic
b(1)
: to toy or fiddle around with something
played with her food
(2)
: to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest
(3)
: to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner
(4)
: to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
(5)
: to move aimlessly about : trifle
c
: to have sexual relations
especially : to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations
usually used in the phrase play around
2
a
: to engage or take part in a game
b
: to perform in a position in a specified manner
the outfielders were playing deep
c
: to perform an action during one's turn in a game
d
: gamble
e(1)
: to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way
play safe
(2)
: to feign a specified state or quality
play dead
(3)
: to take part in or assent to some activity : cooperate
play along with his scheme
(4)
: to act so as to prove advantageous to another
usually used in the phrase play into the hands of
3
a(1)
: to perform music
play on a violin
(2)
: to sound in performance
the organ is playing
(3)
: to emit sounds
the radio is playing
(4)
: to reproduce recorded sounds
a record is playing
b(1)
: show, run
what's playing at the theater
(2)
: to act in a dramatic production
c
: to be suitable for dramatic performance
d
: to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy
might play to popular prejudices to serve his political endsV. L. Parrington
often used in the phrase play up to
e
: to produce a specified impression in performance
a movie that plays like a sitcom
4
a
: to take advantage
playing on fears
b(1)
(2)
: to move or operate in a lively, irregular, or intermittent manner
c
: to move or function freely within prescribed limits
d
: to produce a stream
hoses playing on a fire
5
: to gain approval : go over
her idea did not play well

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to engage in or occupy oneself with
play baseball
(2)
: to engage in (an activity) as a game
(3)
: to deal with, handle, or manage
b
: to pretend to engage in the activities of
play war
children playing house
c(1)
: to amount to by one's efforts
played an important role in their success
(2)
: to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock
play a trick
(3)
: wreak
play havoc
(4)
: to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy
play the national security card
2
a(1)
: to contend against in or as if in a game
(2)
: to use as a contestant in a game
the coach did not play him
(3)
: to perform the duties associated with (a certain position)
played quarterback
(4)
: to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner
b(1)
: to wager in a game : stake
(2)
: to make wagers on
play the races
(3)
: to speculate on or in
play the stock market
(4)
: to operate on the basis of
play a hunch
c
: to put into action in a game
especially : to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick
d
: to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field
played the ball bare-handed
e
: to direct the course of (something, such as a ball) : hit
played a wedge shot to the green
also : to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound
played the ball off the backboard
3
a(1)
: to put on a performance of (a play)
(2)
: to act in the character or part of
(3)
: to act or perform in
played leading theaters
b
: to perform or act the part of
play the fool
4
a
: to perform (music) on an instrument
play a waltz
b
: to perform music on
play the violin
c
: to perform music of (a certain composer)
d(1)
: to cause (a device, such as a radio) to emit sounds
(2)
: to cause the recorded sound or image of (something, such as a record, optical disk, or a digital file) to be reproduced
5
a
: wield, ply
b
: to discharge, fire, or set off with continuous effect
played the hose on the burning building
c
: to cause to move or operate lightly and irregularly or intermittently
d
: to keep (a hooked fish) in action
playability noun
playable adjective

play

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the stage representation of an action or story
b
: a dramatic composition : drama
2
a
: recreational activity
especially : the spontaneous activity of children
b
: the act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds
c
: absence of serious or harmful intent : jest
said it in play
3
a
: the conduct, course, or action of a game
b
: one's turn in a game
it's your play
c
: a particular act or maneuver in a game: such as
(1)
: the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football
(2)
: the action in which a player is put out in baseball
d
: the moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)
e
: the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game
f
g
archaic : game, sport
4
a(1)
: the state of being active, operative, or relevant
other motives surely come into playM. R. Cohen
several issues are at play
(2)
: a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play
(3)
: scope or opportunity for action
(4)
: brisk, fitful, or light movement
the gem presented a dazzling play of colors
(5)
: free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine)
also : the length or measure of such motion
b(1)
: an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver
that was a play to get your fingerprintsErle Stanley Gardner
(2)
5
: emphasis or publicity especially in the news media
wished the country received a better play in the American pressHugh MacLennan
6
: a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings
usually used with make
made a big play for the girlWill Herman
7
a
obsolete : sexual intercourse
b
: amorous flirtation : dalliance
Phrases
play ball play both ends against the middle
: to set opposing interests against each other to one's own ultimate profit
play by ear
: to deal with something without previous planning or instructions
play games
: to try to hide the truth from someone by deceptive means
play one's cards
: to act with the means available to one
play possum
: to pretend to be asleep or dead
play second fiddle
: to take a subordinate position
play the field
: to date or have romantic connections with more than one person
play the game
: to act according to a code or set of standards
play with a full deck
: to be rational or sane
play with fire
: to do something risky or dangerous
play with oneself in play
: in condition or position to be legitimately played
out of play
: not in play
Choose the Right Synonym for play

fun, jest, sport, game, play mean action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.

fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of play in a Sentence

Verb The children were playing in the yard. Can Sara come out and play? He played by himself in his room. Did you play any sports in high school? No one dares to play chess with him. The children were playing hide-and-seek. I have a chess set. Do you want to play? It's your turn to play. She hurt her wrist but decided to continue playing. He played in every major tournament this year. Noun The play is based on a real-life event. He wrote, directed, and starred in the play. His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving. I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays. The book discusses the role of play in a child's development. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Please, no talking during play. Rain held up play for an hour. The chess match finally ended after three hours of play. The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The 24-year- old played five years in college, spending three seasons at Oklahoma (2019-2021) and the last two seasons at South Carolina (2022-2023). Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 Ionescu, who struggled for most of the game, would get the inbound pass and play hero for the Liberty to complete the 15-point comeback, which is the third largest comeback in WNBA Finals history. Jacob Lev, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
Based on Betts’ play in Game 4, the decision of whether to pitch around Ohtani became harder for the Mets, as well as whichever team plays the Dodgers in the World Series. Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024 Toddlers wobble about the play area with their moms (or nannies). Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for play 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3f

Time Traveler
The first known use of play was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near play

Cite this Entry

“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

play

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a brisk handling or using
the play of a sword
b
: the conduct, course, or action of a game
rain held up play
c
: a particular act or maneuver in a game
a great play by the shortstop
d
: one's turn in a game
it's your play
2
a
: exercise or activity for amusement
children at play
b
: absence of any bad intention
said it in play
c
: the act or an instance of playing on words : pun
d
: the act of playing a game and risking something on an uncertain event : gambling, gaming
3
a
: a way or manner of acting or proceeding : action, conduct
fair play
c
: brisk or light movement
the light play of a breeze
d
: freedom of motion
too much play in the steering wheel
e
: opportunity for action
the new job gave play to my talents
4
a
: the stage representation of an action or story
b
: a dramatic composition : drama

play

2 of 2 verb
1
a
: to engage in sport or recreation and especially in activity for amusement
children playing
b
: to treat or behave lightly or without respect that is due
play with a new idea
c
: to make use of double meaning or the similarity of sound of two words for humorous effect : pun
d
: to handle something in an absentminded way : toy
played with the pencil
2
a
: to take advantage
played upon the people's fears
b
: to move swiftly or lightly
shadows playing on the wall
c
: to move freely
d
: to let go in a stream
hoses playing on the fire
3
a
: to sound in performance
listen to an organ playing
b
: to be staged or presented
what's playing at the movies
4
: to behave in a particular way
play safe
5
a
: to take part in
play cards
play ball
b
: to pretend to take part in the activities of
children playing house
c
: to do for amusement or from mischief
play a trick on someone
6
a
: to perform on or as if on the stage
play a part
b
: to act the part of
play the fool
7
a
: to contend against in a game
playing the Dodgers today
b
: to put or keep in action
play a card in a game
play a fish on a line
8
: to cause something to produce music or sound
play the piano
play a record
playable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on play

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