play
noun
- Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
"Children learn through play."
- Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
"This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills."
- The conduct, or course, of a game.
"After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock."
- An individual's performance in a sport or game.
"His play has improved a lot this season."
- A short sequence of action within a game.
"That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward."
- (turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
- A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
"This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays."
- A theatrical performance featuring actors.
"We saw a two-act play in the theatre."
- A major move by a business or investor.
"ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets."
- A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
- The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
"No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it."
- Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.
- An instance of watching or listening to digital media.
- A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
- (now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.
verb
- To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
"They played long and hard."
- To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
"He plays on three teams"
- To take part in amorous activity; to make love.
- To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
"He plays the King, and she's the Queen."
- (heading) To produce music or theatre.
- (heading) To behave in a particular way.
- To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
"He played the torch beam around the room."
- To move to and fro.
- To put in action or motion.
"to play a trump in a card game"
- To keep in play, as a hooked fish in order to land it.
- To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.
"You played me!"
Play Word Games
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