play

verb

• 1 [no object] engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose:the children were playing outside her friends were playing with their dolls
• [with object] engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment:I want to play Monopoly
• amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretense:the boys were playing cops and robbers
• (play at) engage in without proper seriousness or understanding:stars who play at being ordinary
• (play with) treat inconsiderately for one’s own amusement:she likes to play with people’s emotions
• (play with) fiddle or tamper with:has somebody been playing with the thermostat?

• 2 [with object] take part in (a sport):I play softball and tennis
• participate in (an athletic match or contest):the Red Sox will play two games on Wednesday
• compete against (another player or team) in an athletic match or contest:the team will play France on Wednesday
• [no object, usually with negative] informal be cooperative:he needs financial backing, but the bank won’t play
• [no object] be part of a team, especially in a specified position, in a game:he played shortstop
• strike (a ball) or execute (a stroke) in a game.
• assign to take part in an athletic contest, especially in a specified position:the manager will want to play the right-handed Curtis
• move (a piece) or display (a playing card) in one’s turn in a game:he played his queen
• bet or gamble at or on:he didn’t play the ponies

• 3 [with object] represent (a character) in a theatrical performance or on film:she played Ophelia
• [no object] perform in a theatrical production or on film:he was proud to be playing opposite a famous actor
• put on or take part in (a theatrical performance or concert):the show was one of the best we ever played
• give a dramatic performance at (a particular theater or place).
• behave as though one were (a specified type of person):the skipper played the innocent, but smuggled goods were found on his vessel
• (play someone for) treat someone as being of (a specified type):don’t imagine you can play me for a fool

• 4 [with object] perform on (a musical instrument):we heard someone playing a harmonica [no object]:a pianist who will play for us
• possess the skill of performing upon (a musical instrument):he taught himself to play the violin
• produce (notes) from a musical instrument; perform (a piece of music):they played a violin sonata
• make (a music player, disc, radio, etc.) produce sounds.
• [no object] (of a musical instrument, music player, radio, etc.) produce sounds:somewhere within, a harp was playing
• accompany (someone) with music as they are moving in a specified direction:the bagpipes played them out of the dining room

• 5 [no object] move lightly and quickly, so as to appear and disappear; flicker:a smile played about her lips
• (of a fountain or similar source of water) emit a stream of gently moving water.

• 6 [with object] allow (a fish) to exhaust itself pulling against a line before reeling it in.

noun

• 1activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children:a child at play may use a stick as an airplane
• behavior or speech that is not intended seriously:I flinched, but only in play
• [as modifier] designed to be used in games of pretense; not real:play families are arranged in play houses

• 2the conducting of an athletic match or contest:rain interrupted the second day’s play
• the action or manner of engaging in a sport or game:he maintained the same rhythm of play throughout the game
• the status of the ball in a game as being available to be played according to the rules:the ball was put in play
• the state of being active, operative, or effective:luck comes into play
• a move or maneuver in a sport or game:the best play is to lead the 3 of clubs
• archaic gambling.

• 3a dramatic work for the stage or to be broadcast:the actors put on a new play

• 4the space in or through which a mechanism can or does move:the steering rack was loose, and there was a little play
• scope or freedom to act or operate:our policy allows the market to have freer play
• light and constantly changing movement:the artist exploits the play of light across the surface