played; playing; plays
1
a
: to engage in sport or recreation : frolic
b(1)
: to toy or fiddle around with something
played with her food
(2)
: to deal or behave frivolously or mockingly : jest
(3)
: to deal in a light, speculative, or sportive manner
(4)
: to make use of double meaning or of the similarity of sound of two words for stylistic or humorous effect
(5)
: to move aimlessly about : trifle
c
: to have sexual relations
especially
: to have promiscuous or illicit sexual relations
—usually used in the phrase play around
2
a
: to engage or take part in a game
b
: to perform in a position in a specified manner
the outfielders were playing deep
c
: to perform an action during one's turn in a game
d
: gamble
e(1)
: to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way
play safe
(2)
: to feign a specified state or quality
play dead
(3)
: to take part in or assent to some activity : cooperate
play along with his scheme
(4)
: to act so as to prove advantageous to another
—usually used in the phrase play into the hands of
3
a(1)
: to perform music
play on a violin
(2)
: to sound in performance
the organ is playing
(3)
: to emit sounds
the radio is playing
(4)
: to reproduce recorded sounds
a record is playing
c
: to be suitable for dramatic performance
d
: to act with special consideration so as to gain favor, approval, or sympathy
might play to popular prejudices to serve his political ends—
V. L. Parrington
—often used in the phrase play up to
V. L. Parrington
e
: to produce a specified impression in performance
a movie that plays like a sitcom
4
5
: to gain approval : go over
her idea did not play well
1
a(1)
: to engage in or occupy oneself with
play baseball
(2)
: to engage in (an activity) as a game
(3)
: to deal with, handle, or manage
(4)
b
: to pretend to engage in the activities of
play war
children playing house
c(1)
: to amount to by one's efforts
played an important role in their success
(2)
: to perform or execute for amusement or to deceive or mock
play a trick
(3)
: wreak
play havoc
(4)
: to use or introduce as a political or rhetorical strategy
play the national security card
2
a(1)
: to contend against in or as if in a game
(2)
: to use as a contestant in a game
the coach did not play him
(3)
: to perform the duties associated with (a certain position)
played quarterback
(4)
: to guard or move into position to defend against (an opponent) in a specified manner
b(1)
: to wager in a game : stake
(2)
: to make wagers on
play the races
(3)
: to speculate on or in
play the stock market
(4)
: to operate on the basis of
play a hunch
c
: to put into action in a game
especially
: to remove (a playing card) from one's hand and place usually faceup on a table in one's turn either as part of a scoring combination or as one's contribution to a trick
d
: to catch or pick up (a batted ball) : field
played the ball bare-handed
e
: to direct the course of (something, such as a ball) : hit
played a wedge shot to the green
also
: to cause (a ball or puck) to rebound
played the ball off the backboard
3
a(1)
: to put on a performance of (a play)
(2)
: to act in the character or part of
(3)
: to act or perform in
played leading theaters
b
: to perform or act the part of
play the fool
4
a
: to perform (music) on an instrument
play a waltz
b
: to perform music on
play the violin
c
: to perform music of (a certain composer)
d(1)
: to cause (a device, such as a radio) to emit sounds
(2)
: to cause the recorded sound or image of (something, such as a record, optical disk, or a digital file) to be reproduced
1
a
: the stage representation of an action or story
b
: a dramatic composition : drama
2
3
a
: the conduct, course, or action of a game
b
: one's turn in a game
it's your play
c
: a particular act or maneuver in a game: such as
(1)
: the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football
(2)
: the action in which a player is put out in baseball
d
: the moving of a piece in a board game (such as chess)
e
: the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game
f
4
a(1)
: the state of being active, operative, or relevant
other motives surely come into play—M. R. Cohen
M. R. Cohenseveral issues are at play
(2)
: a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play
(3)
: scope or opportunity for action
(4)
: brisk, fitful, or light movement
the gem presented a dazzling play of colors
(5)
: free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine)
also
: the length or measure of such motion
5
: emphasis or publicity especially in the news media
wished the country received a better play in the American press—Hugh MacLennan
Hugh MacLennan6
: a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings
—usually used with make
made a big play for the girl—Will Herman
Will Herman7
a
obsolete
: sexual intercourse
b
: amorous flirtation : dalliance
Synonyms
Examples of play in a Sentence
Verb
The children were playing in the yard.
Can Sara come out and play?
He played by himself in his room.
Did you play any sports in high school?
No one dares to play chess with him.
The children were playing hide-and-seek.
I have a chess set. Do you want to play?
It's your turn to play.
She hurt her wrist but decided to continue playing.
He played in every major tournament this year.
Noun
The play is based on a real-life event.
He wrote, directed, and starred in the play.
His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving.
I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays.
The book discusses the role of play in a child's development.
As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
Please, no talking during play.
Rain held up play for an hour.
The chess match finally ended after three hours of play.
The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Vincent Trocheck stressed the need to play tighter and have short memories on the ice.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
The penalty set the Bears back to first-and-goal at the 6-yard line, and Swift gained 5 yards on the next play.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In an earlier episode, the family’s patriarch, John Dutton, played by Kevin Costner, was murdered.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
Vincent Trocheck stressed the need to play tighter and have short memories on the ice.
—Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
State of play: About two months ago, the CARE teams shifted their approach.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
The penalty set the Bears back to first-and-goal at the 6-yard line, and Swift gained 5 yards on the next play.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for play
Articles Related to play
Dictionary Entries Near play
Cite this Entry
“Play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
play
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a brisk handling or using
the play of a sword
b
: the conduct, course, or action of a game
rain held up play
c
: a particular act or maneuver in a game
a great play by the shortstop
d
: one's turn in a game
it's your play
2
3
c
: brisk or light movement
the light play of a breeze
d
: freedom of motion
too much play in the steering wheel
e
: opportunity for action
the new job gave play to my talents
4
a
: the stage representation of an action or story
b
: a dramatic composition : drama
play
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to engage in sport or recreation and especially in activity for amusement
children playing
b
: to treat or behave lightly or without respect that is due
play with a new idea
c
: to make use of double meaning or the similarity of sound of two words for humorous effect : pun
d
: to handle something in an absentminded way : toy
played with the pencil
2
a
: to take advantage
played upon the people's fears
b
: to move swiftly or lightly
shadows playing on the wall
c
: to move freely
d
: to let go in a stream
hoses playing on the fire
3
a
: to sound in performance
listen to an organ playing
b
: to be staged or presented
what's playing at the movies
4
: to behave in a particular way
play safe
5
a
: to take part in
play cards
play ball
b
: to pretend to take part in the activities of
children playing house
c
: to do for amusement or from mischief
play a trick on someone
6
a
: to perform on or as if on the stage
play a part
b
: to act the part of
play the fool
7
a
: to contend against in a game
playing the Dodgers today
b
: to put or keep in action
play a card in a game
play a fish on a line
8
: to cause something to produce music or sound
play the piano
play a record
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