play

Definition (noun): a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

Example: he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

Definition (noun): a theatrical performance of a drama

Example: the play lasted two hours

Definition (noun): a preset plan of action in team sports

Example: the coach drew up the plays for her team

Definition (noun): a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Example: he made a great maneuver

Definition (noun): a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

Example: the runner was out on a play by the shortstop

Definition (noun): a state in which action is feasible

Example: the ball was still in play

Definition (noun): a state in which action is feasible

Example: insiders said the company’s stock was in play

Definition (noun): utilization or exercise

Example: the play of the imagination

Definition (noun): an attempt to get something

Example: they made a futile play for power

Definition (noun): an attempt to get something

Example: he made a bid to gain attention

Definition (noun): activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Example: Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

Definition (noun): (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

Example: rain stopped play in the 4th inning

Definition (noun): the removal of constraints

Example: he gave free rein to his impulses

Definition (noun): the removal of constraints

Example: they gave full play to the artist’s talent

Definition (noun): a weak and tremulous light

Example: the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers

Definition (noun): a weak and tremulous light

Example: the play of light on the water

Definition (noun): verbal wit or mockery (often at another’s expense but not to be taken seriously)

Example: he became a figure of fun

Definition (noun): verbal wit or mockery (often at another’s expense but not to be taken seriously)

Example: he said it in sport

Definition (noun): movement or space for movement

Example: there was too much play in the steering wheel

Definition (noun): gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Example: it was all done in play

Definition (noun): gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

Example: their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly

Definition (noun): (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Example: it is my turn

Definition (noun): (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

Example: it is still my play

Definition (noun): the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Example: his gambling cost him a fortune

Definition (noun): the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

Example: there was heavy play at the blackjack table

Definition (noun): the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully

Definition (verb): participate in games or sport

Example: We played hockey all afternoon

Definition (verb): participate in games or sport

Example: play cards

Definition (verb): participate in games or sport

Example: Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches

Definition (verb): act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Example: This factor played only a minor part in his decision

Definition (verb): act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Example: This development played into her hands

Definition (verb): act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

Example: I played no role in your dismissal

Definition (verb): play on an instrument

Example: The band played all night long

Definition (verb): play a role or part

Example: Gielgud played Hamlet

Definition (verb): play a role or part

Example: She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role

Definition (verb): play a role or part

Example: She played the servant to her husband’s master

Definition (verb): be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Example: The kids were playing outside all day

Definition (verb): be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

Example: I used to play with trucks as a little girl

Definition (verb): replay (as a melody)

Example: Play it again, Sam

Definition (verb): replay (as a melody)

Example: She played the third movement very beautifully

Definition (verb): perform music on (a musical instrument)

Example: He plays the flute

Definition (verb): perform music on (a musical instrument)

Example: Can you play on this old recorder?

Definition (verb): pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Example: He acted the idiot

Definition (verb): pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Example: She plays deaf when the news are bad

Definition (verb): move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

Example: The spotlights played on the politicians

Definition (verb): bet or wager (money)

Example: He played $20 on the new horse

Definition (verb): bet or wager (money)

Example: She plays the races

Definition (verb): engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Example: On weekends I play

Definition (verb): engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

Example: The students all recreate alike

Definition (verb): pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Example: Let’s play like I am mommy

Definition (verb): pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Example: Play cowboy and Indians

Definition (verb): emit recorded sound

Example: The tape was playing for hours

Definition (verb): emit recorded sound

Example: the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered

Definition (verb): perform on a certain location

Example: The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16

Definition (verb): perform on a certain location

Example: She has been playing on Broadway for years

Definition (verb): put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Example: He is playing his cards close to his chest

Definition (verb): put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

Example: The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory

Definition (verb): engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Example: They played games on their opponents

Definition (verb): engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Example: play the stock market

Definition (verb): engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Example: play with her feelings

Definition (verb): engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

Example: toy with an idea

Definition (verb): behave in a certain way

Example: play safe

Definition (verb): behave in a certain way

Example: play it safe

Definition (verb): behave in a certain way

Example: play fair

Definition (verb): cause to emit recorded audio or video

Example: They ran the tapes over and over again

Definition (verb): cause to emit recorded audio or video

Example: I’ll play you my favorite record

Definition (verb): cause to emit recorded audio or video

Example: He never tires of playing that video

Definition (verb): manipulate manually or in one’s mind or imagination

Example: She played nervously with her wedding ring

Definition (verb): manipulate manually or in one’s mind or imagination

Example: Don’t fiddle with the screws

Definition (verb): manipulate manually or in one’s mind or imagination

Example: He played with the idea of running for the Senate

Definition (verb): use to one’s advantage

Example: She plays on her clients’ emotions

Definition (verb): consider not very seriously

Example: He is trifling with her

Definition (verb): consider not very seriously

Example: She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania

Definition (verb): be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Example: This speech didn’t play well with the American public

Definition (verb): be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

Example: His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee

Definition (verb): behave carelessly or indifferently

Example: Play about with a young girl’s affection

Definition (verb): cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

Example: The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

Definition (verb): perform on a stage or theater

Example: She acts in this play

Definition (verb): perform on a stage or theater

Example: He acted in `Julius Caesar’

Definition (verb): perform on a stage or theater

Example: I played in `A Christmas Carol’

Definition (verb): be performed or presented for public viewing

Example: What’s playing in the local movie theater?

Definition (verb): be performed or presented for public viewing

Example: `Cats’ has been playing on Broadway for many years