gameplay

noun

game·​play ˈgām-ˌplā 

variants or game play

plural gameplays or game plays

1

: the characteristic way in which the action of a game (such as a video game) occurs or is experienced

Each game is cleanly done with smooth gameplay and colorful graphics.

—Joe Hindy

Featuring intuitive and addictive gameplay, the game is a lovely distraction from the troubles of the day.

—Amy Davidson

The unique game play led to players adopting all sorts of interesting strategies for getting a high score.

—Jeff Fulton and Steve Fulton

2

: the practice or activity of playing games (such as board games, card games, or video games) : gaming sense 2

Unlike the vast majority of previous studies on the effect of video games on wellbeing, the Oxford team were able to track actual gameplay, rather than relying on self-reported estimates.

—Alex Hern

While not all card shufflers operate more quickly than manual shuffling, in general, a card shuffler speeds up gameplay.

—Allen Foster

… a gaming chair that also massages your back, features an adjustable headrest and has an ergonomic design that allows for hours and hours of game play.

—Heather Quinlan

Examples of gameplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Miyazaki notes that FromSoftware got lucky that the video game market wanted a game with a learning curve and death cycle for its core gameplay loops. —George Yang, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2024

Immediately, solutions to the original gameplay problems started presenting themselves, Teuber says. —Saira Mueller, CNN, 14 June 2024

The podcast covered more than just the release date, though, with Meyer offering up some new gameplay details—particularly about how multiplayer will work. —Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 13 June 2024

By season seven, the game is at a strategic high point with Sandra Diaz-Twine and Johnny Fairplay both innately understanding the fluid nature of Survivor gameplay (unlike beloved Rupert’s staidness). —Nic Juarez, Vulture, 4 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2