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playpen

noun
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play·​pen | \ ˈplā-ˌpen How to pronounce playpen (audio) \

Definition of playpen

: a portable usually collapsible enclosure in which a baby or young child may play

— called also play yard

Examples of playpen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Among the presents were a car seat, gift baskets, a diaper bag, a portable playpen and a $10,000 scholarship from the University of the Incarnate Word. — Vincent T. Davis, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio’s first baby of the year born 25 seconds after midnight," 1 Jan. 2020 Little Kallie Grace watched her mother from a playpen in the office. — Anna Claire Vollers | Avollers@al.com, al, "Rural healthcare isn’t easy. Here’s how one Alabama woman bridges gaps in the Black Belt," 29 Dec. 2019 The couple’s 1-year-old daughter, Kaylee, was in a playpen inside the house at the time. — Laura Barcella, PEOPLE.com, "Patrick Frazee Found Guilty of Murdering Fiancée Kelsey Berreth," 18 Nov. 2019 There’s not been a girl in the playpen for a month. — Christian Holub, EW.com, "Read an excerpt from Dean Koontz's newest story collection, Nameless," 11 Nov. 2019 No one who owns a pro sports franchise – especially one with a publicly paid-for playpen – should ever be heard complaining about anything money-related. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc's Morning Line: Andrew Luck made a lifestyle choice. Respect it, football fans.," 28 Aug. 2019 There are thick mats to sleep on, showers, playpens for infants and aluminum blankets. — Washington Post, "Top immigration official: Border crossings dropping," 28 June 2019 The associated article includes even more photos of other Valve office zones, including a room full of rare merch and a kid's playpen. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Our favorite gaming studios, expos, museum exhibits—in a photo blowout," 24 Aug. 2019 At Admiralty’s Tamar Park, some people unrolled picnic mats, and one mother brought a playpen. — Time Staff, Time, "Hong Kongers Go on Strike to Support the 'Revolution of Our Time'," 5 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'playpen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of playpen

1902, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for playpen

Time Traveler

The first known use of playpen was in 1902

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Statistics for playpen

Last Updated

12 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Playpen.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playpen. Accessed 25 January 2020.

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More Definitions for playpen

playpen

noun
How to pronounce playpen (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of playpen

: a structure with high sides that provides an enclosed area in which a baby or young child can play

See the full definition for playpen in the English Language Learners Dictionary

playpen

noun
play·​pen | \ ˈplā-ˌpen How to pronounce playpen (audio) \

Kids Definition of playpen

: a small enclosure in which a baby is placed to play

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More from Merriam-Webster on playpen

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with playpen

Spanish Central: Translation of playpen

Nglish: Translation of playpen for Spanish Speakers

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