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
Guard Christian Braun and the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon will be playing host to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
The Raiders play host to second-place El Dorado (16-11, 6-5) while the Spartans play host to Sunny Hills (9-13, 2-9).
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 May 2025
The birthplace of many a legendary career, the Apollo played host to the likes of Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
—Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 6 May 2025
Since the season's premiere on February 16, Hotels.com has seen a 65% spike in searches for The Four Seasons Koh Samui, the luxurious resort that played host to the show’s jet-setting elite.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
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Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
The Raiders play host to second-place El Dorado (16-11, 6-5) while the Spartans play host to Sunny Hills (9-13, 2-9).
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 6 May 2025
The birthplace of many a legendary career, the Apollo played host to the likes of Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
—Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 6 May 2025
Since the season's premiere on February 16, Hotels.com has seen a 65% spike in searches for The Four Seasons Koh Samui, the luxurious resort that played host to the show’s jet-setting elite.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 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 22 May. 2025.
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