play host to
idiomatic phrase
: to serve as a host for (someone or something)
Each year, the city plays host to the film festival for one week.
As travel to the Third World has expanded, so, too, has concern about the damage wrought by mass tourism on the people and places that play host to wandering North Americans and Europeans.—
Ira Silver
Ira SilverSt. John's meets No. 3-ranked Duke and the Big East rival Miami on the road, and will play host to No. 4 Syracuse, No. 13 Connecticut and surging Seton Hall at the Garden.—Jon Drape
Jon DrapeThe grasslands play host to [=provide a home for] long-billed curlews and sage grouse, and eagles, osprey and coyotes scavenge the area.—Kay Clark
Kay ClarkExamples of play host to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Today, the home is maintained by volunteers and plays host to an annual fish fry, appraisal fairs and as a historical venue for private events.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Geminid meteors appear to streak through the sky travelling away from the constellation Gemini, which plays host to the gas giant Jupiter throughout December.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The Jayhawks will be playing host to a prospect in the class of 2026 on Tuesday, a player who would not be eligible for competition until the 2026-27 season.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
Texas has played host to many film and television productions over the years, but there’s been one particular kind of project that’s been missing.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play host to
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Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2025
Geminid meteors appear to streak through the sky travelling away from the constellation Gemini, which plays host to the gas giant Jupiter throughout December.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025
The Jayhawks will be playing host to a prospect in the class of 2026 on Tuesday, a player who would not be eligible for competition until the 2026-27 season.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Dec. 2025
Texas has played host to many film and television productions over the years, but there’s been one particular kind of project that’s been missing.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play host to
Cite this Entry
“Play host to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20host%20to. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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