American Dictionary

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Definition place in American English

place noun

[countable] noun
/pleɪs/
1

an area, or a position

Example

I don't like crowded places.

Example

Let's find a quiet place where we can talk.

Example

Keep your credit cards in a safe place.

Example

Will had broken his jaw in three places.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

the position where someone or something is, or where it should be

Example

She put the book back in its place.

Example

Cara walked back to her place and sat down.

Example

She shut the door and slid the bolt into place.

Example

The mechanism locked into place.

Synonyms and related words
Example

They live in a small place called Hunter's Gap.

Example

With a little work this place could look lovely.

Example

This is the only place that sells this type of candy.

Example

The trip includes a visit to the Hall of Fame and other places of interest.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

an area, building, or space that is used for or appropriate for a particular purpose

Example

a popular eating place

Example

Cyprus is a great place for a vacation.

Example

Is this a safe place to swim?

Example

I always thought Italy would be a great place to live.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

a house, apartment, etc. for living in

Example

They've bought a lovely little place in Aspen.

Example

Let's have the party at my place.

Synonyms and related words
3

an opportunity to be a member of a sports team or to take part in a game or competition

Example

Jones has earned a place on the Olympic team.

Example

Capriati clinched a place in the semifinals with that win.

Synonyms and related words
3.1

an opportunity to join a school, college, course, etc.

Example

Places for children in day care are scarce in some parts of the country.

Example

Course organizers are hoping that all the places will be filled.

Synonyms and related words
3.2

an opportunity to be part of an organization or business

Example

She was offered a place on the committee.

Example

They're looking for someone to fill Jackson's place on the management team.

Synonyms and related words
4

a seat on a train or bus, in a theater, etc., or a position in a line

Example

There's no place to sit.

Example

I had to go to the bathroom, so I lost my place in line.

Example

Would you mind saving my place for a minute?

Synonyms and related words
5

the position that you achieve in a race or competition

Example

After a good performance at Wimbledon, she jumped six places in the world rankings.

Example

Right now the Islanders are tied with Buffalo for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Example

Rafferty completed his round in 69, to take third place at the halfway stage.

Synonyms and related words
6

the right occasion, or the right time for something

Example

This isn't the place to talk about the subject.

Example

This is neither the time nor the place to discuss our relationship.

Synonyms and related words
7

the point that you have reached in a book, speech, etc.

Example

He marked his place with a piece of paper.

Example

I lost my place (=forgot what I was saying) when he interrupted me.

Synonyms and related words
8

the importance that someone or something has in people's lives or in their minds

Example

The house will always have a place in our hearts.

Example

a discussion about the place of soap operas in popular culture

Example

De Klerk secured his place in history by releasing Mandela and starting the process of change.

Synonyms and related words
9

the set of dishes, knives, forks, and spoons arranged on a table for one person to use

Example

a table set with three places

Synonyms and related words
10

the first thing to be done in order to achieve a goal

Example

If you are set to live a long life, eating tofu and squid is the place to start.

11

to be successful

Example

I always believed he would go places. He's been a whizz-kid since he was a child.

12

to set up, organize, or establish

Example

Public buildings have put in place checkpoints at their entrances in the wake of a number of horrifying terror attacks.

Definition place in American English