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

St. 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

The grasslands play host to [=provide a home for] long-billed curlews and sage grouse, and eagles, osprey and coyotes scavenge the area.

—Kay Clark

Examples of play host to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to an aerial display from Patan, the event played host to the first four-aircraft formation dance and a high-speed race around the company's signature pylons. —New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2025

That will be Sunday when the Chiefs play host to the Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025

The Wild play host to Columbus on Saturday. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025

Newport Harbor plays host to San Juan Hills (5-2, 1-1) on the same day. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 12 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for play host to

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue