American Dictionary

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Definition play in American English

play noun

noun
/pleɪ/

▪ direct, perform, produce, put on, rehearse, stage, write

1

activities that are done because they are enjoyable and fun, especially by children

Example

The second-graders have a play period right after lunch.

Example

She watched the children at play in the park.

Synonyms and related words
2

a piece of writing intended to be performed by actors in a theater or on television or the radio

Example

a Broadway play

Example

The university's drama students plan to put on an Arthur Miller play.

Example

She writes radio and television plays.

Synonyms and related words
3

the action in a sport or game

Example

The golf match was suspended during the storm, but play resumed later on.

Example

The wet and muddy conditions determined the style of play.

Synonyms and related words
3.1

a particular action in a game, or the quality of the action

Example

Lopez made a fine play to throw the runner out at the plate.

Synonyms and related words
4

if there is play in something such as a rope, it is not stretched tight and you can move it

Synonyms and related words
Example

The Duvernay formation is one of the most prospective liquids-rich shale plays in North America.

Definition play in American English

Related Words

Words related to play:

a play on words (phrase) all work and no play (phrase) be billed to etc. (phrase) bring something into play (phrase) child’s play (noun) come into play (phrase) double play (noun) fair play (noun) foul play (noun) have a part to play (in something) (phrase) a part (in something) (phrase) your cards close to your chest (phrase) (if you) play your cards right (phrase) in play (phrase) make a play for someone (phrase) mystery play (noun) nativity play (noun) out of play (phrase) Passion play (noun) play (verb) play (noun) play () into someone’s hands (phrase) play (something) by ear (phrase) play a on someone (phrase) play a in something (phrase) play along (phrasal verb) play around (phrasal verb) play at (phrasal verb) play away (phrasal verb) play back (phrasal verb) play ball (phrase) play ball (with someone) (phrase) play both ends (against the middle) (phrase) play Cupid (phrase) play date (noun) play down (phrasal verb) play fair (phrase) play fast and loose with (phrase) play for time (phrase) play games (phrase) play God (phrase) play good cop/bad cop (phrase) play hard to get (phrase) play hardball (phrase) play it by ear (phrase) play it cool (phrase) play it safe (phrase) play off (phrasal verb) play off against (phrasal verb) play on (phrasal verb) play out (phrasal verb) play politics (phrase) play possum (phrase) play Russian roulette with something (phrase) play second fiddle to someone (phrase) play something by ear (phrase) play the (stock) market (phrase) play the field (phrase) play the innocent (phrase) play the...card (phrase) play to the gallery (phrase) play truant (phrase) play up (phrasal verb) play up to (phrasal verb) play with (phrasal verb) play-acting (noun) play-by-play (noun) play/act dumb (phrase) the fool (phrase) etc. your heart out (phrase) plug-and-play (adjective) power play (noun) role-play (noun) soft play centre (noun) squeeze play (noun) state of play (noun) the Scottish play () turnabout is fair play (phrase) the cat’s away (the mice will play) (phrase)