- 1 [countable] a particular position, point or area Is this the place where it happened? This would be a good place for a picnic. I can't be in two places at once. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + placefinish in, get, take, … place + verbgo to somebody See full entry city/town/building
- 2 [countable] a particular city, town, building, etc. I can't remember all the places we visited in Thailand. I used to live in York and I'm still fond of the place. The police searched the place. We were looking for a place to eat. Let's get out of this place! Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry
- 3 [countable] (especially in compounds or phrases) a building or an area of land used for a particular purpose a meeting place The town has many excellent eating places. (formal) churches and other places of worship He can usually be contacted at his place of work. Synonymsplacesite area position point location scene spot venueThese are all words for a particular area or part of an area, especially one used for a particular purpose or where somebody/something is situated or happens.place a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc, especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:This would be a good place for a picnic.site the place where something, especially a building, is or will be situated; a place where something happened or that is used for a particular purpose:They’ve chosen a site for the new school.area a part of a room, building or particular space that is used for a special purpose; a particular place on an object:the hotel reception area Move the cursor to a blank area on the screen.position the place where a person or thing is situated; the place where somebody/something is meant to be:From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbour. The position of somebody/something is often temporary: the place where somebody/something is at a particular time.point a particular place within an area, where something happens or is supposed to happen:the point at which the river divideslocation a place where something happens or exists, especially a place that is not named or not known:The company is moving to a new location.scene a place where something happens, especially something unpleasant:the scene of the accidentspot a particular point or area, especially one that has a particular character or where something particular happens:The lake is one of the local beauty spots.venue the place where people meet for an organized event such as a performance or sports event.Patterns at a place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venue in a(n) place/area/position/location/venue the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where… the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue a central site/position/location/venue the/somebody’s/something’s exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spot see also resting place Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry area on surface
- 4 [countable] a particular area on a surface, especially on a person’s body He broke his arm in three places. The paint was peeling off the wall in places. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry in book/speech, etc.
- 5 [countable] a point in a book, speech, piece of music, etc., especially one that somebody has reached at a particular time She had marked her place with a bookmark. Excuse me, I seem to have lost my place. The audience laughed in all the right places. This is one of the few places in his work where he mentions his childhood. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry seat
- 6 [countable] a position, seat, etc., especially one that is available for or being used by a person or vehicle Come and sit here—I've saved you a place. I don't want to lose my place in the line. Would you like to change places with me so you can see better? I've set a place for you at the table. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + placesit (down) in, take, go back to, … place + nouncard, mat, setting, … phrasesthe place of honour/honor See full entry role/importance
- 7[singular] place (in something) the role or importance of somebody/something in a particular situation, usually in relation to others He is assured of his place in history. Accurate reporting takes second place to lurid detail. My father believed that people should know their place (= behave according to their social position). It's not your place (= your role) to give advice. Anecdotes have no place in (= are not acceptable in) an academic essay. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecentral, important, prominent, … verb + placehave, hold, occupy, … prepositionplace in phrasesit’s not somebody’s place to, a place in history See full entry at university/school
- 8 [countable] an opportunity to take part in something, especially to study at a school or university or on a course She's been offered a place at Bath to study Business. There are very few places left on the course. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecollege, nursery, school, … verb + placeget, win, award somebody, … prepositionplace at, place in, place on, … See full entry See related entries: University life in sports team
- 9[countable] the position of being a member of a sports team She has won a place in the Olympic team. He lost his place in the first team. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + placeget, offer somebody, lose, … prepositionplace on See full entry correct position
- 10 [countable] the natural or correct position for something Is there a place on the form to put your address? Put it back in its place when you've finished with it. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry safe area
- 11[countable] (usually with a negative) a suitable or safe area for somebody to be These streets are no place for a child to be out alone at night. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveconvenient, good, great, … verb + placemark, lose place + nounname prepositionat a/the place, in a/the place, in place, … phrasesall over the place, no place, not the place, … See full entry home
- 12 [singular] (informal) a house or flat/apartment; a person’s home What about dinner at my place? I'm fed up with living with my parents, so I'm looking for a place of my own. I thought I’d better clean the place up. in race/competition
- 13 [countable, usually singular] a position among the winners of a race or competition He finished in third place. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + placefinish in, get, take, … place + verbgo to somebody See full entry mathematics
- 14 [countable] the position of a figure after a decimal point The number is correct to three decimal places. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivecentral, important, prominent, … verb + placehave, hold, occupy, … prepositionplace in phrasesit’s not somebody’s place to, a place in history See full entry street/square
- 15Place [singular] (abbreviation Pl.) used as part of a name for a short street or square 66 Portland Place Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from an alteration of Latin platea ‘open space’, from Greek plateia (hodos) ‘broad (way)’.Extra examples Dance has a central place in their culture. He changed places with me. He has been restored to his rightful place in the community. He holds a special place in her affections. He lost his place in the team. He took the place of honour on his hostess’s right. He was awarded a place at Leeds University. He was injured and lost his place in the side. His victory secured him a place in history. Housing occupied a prominent place in the discussions. I forgot to mark my place. I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I lost my place in line. I’m sorry—I was forgetting my place. I’ve laid four places for dinner. It was a terrible place to live. It was held in place with tape. It’s a nice place you’ve got here. It’s not your place to correct her. Keep your purse in a safe place. Please state your date and place of birth. Second place went to the Moroccan athlete. She got a place on the French course. She knows her place. She showed them to their places. She tapped the lid into place. She took third place. The boy returned to his place There will be rain in places. This is not the place for an argument. We had dinner at a crowded place in Chelsea. We took our places around the table. a statesman who is assured a place in history holidays in faraway places trips to faraway places Anecdotes have no place in an academic essay. Come and sit here—I’ve saved you a place. He can usually be contacted at his place of work. Here is a list of churches and other places of worship. I can’t be in two places at once. I couldn’t find a parking place anywhere. I don’t want to lose my place in the line. I thought I’d better clean the place up. I used to live in York and I’m still fond of the place. I’m fed up with living with my parents, so I’m looking for a place of my own. I’ve set a place for you at the table. Let’s get out of this place! My father believed that people should know their place. Please write your full name, date and place of birth. Schools should be a safe place for children to work in. The town has many excellent eating places. There was no hiding place. These streets are no place for a child to be out alone at night. They gathered at a meeting place in the town square. They met at a place in the centre of town. We’re looking for a place to eat. What about dinner at my place? What places did you visit in Thailand? Would you like to change places with me so you can see better?Idioms
- 1everywhere New restaurants are appearing all over the place.
- 2not neat or tidy; not well organized Your calculations are all over the place (= completely wrong).
- 1 (also into place) in the correct position; ready for something Carefully lay each slab in place. The receiver had already clicked into place.
- 2 working or ready to work All the arrangements are now in place for their visit. How long has the import ban been in place?
- 3(North American English) = on the spot (3)
- 1 not in the correct place Some of these files seem to be out of place.
- 2 not suitable for a particular situation Her remarks were out of place. I felt completely out of place among all these successful people.
- 1to go to the physical position that is necessary for an activity Take your places for dinner.
- 2to take or accept the status in society that is correct or that you deserve
position/point/area
all over the place (British English also all over the shop) (also US English all over the lot) (informal) jump to other results
(informal) to be getting more and more successful in your life or career a young architect who’s really going places
(disapproving) to behave in a very confident way that annoys other people, for example by telling them what to do
be in a good, bad, dark, etc. place (less frequent be in a good, bad, dark, etc. space) jump to other results
in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant
(usually used in negative sentences) to be in somebody else’s situation I'm perfectly happy—I wouldn't change places with anyone.
if something complicated or difficult to understand falls or slots into place, it becomes organized or clear in your mind Then I found his diary and it all began to fall into place.
(formal) to be replaced by somebody/something synonym give way to Houses and factories gave place to open fields as the train gathered speed.
used to say that somebody’s intentions are kind and sincere even though they sometimes do the wrong thing
used to introduce a piece of advice you are giving to somebody If I were in your place, I'd resign immediately.
used at the end of a sentence to talk about why something was done or whether it should have been done or not I still don't understand why you chose that name in the first place. I should never have taken that job in the first place.
used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the different points you are making in an argument Well, in the first place he has all the right qualifications.
in my, your, etc. situation I wouldn't like to be in your place.
instead of somebody/something You can use milk in place of cream in this recipe. He was unable to come to the ceremony, but he sent his son to accept the award in his place.
(saying) an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice
(of a person) to look extremely clean and neat
a position in which you are comfortable or have an advantage over other people
the position in which something is most easily seen, that is given to the most important thing in a particular group The photo was given pride of place on the mantelpiece.
to make somebody feel stupid or embarrassed for showing too much confidence At first she tried to take charge of the meeting but I soon put her in her place.
to imagine that you are in somebody else’s situation Of course I was upset—just put yourself in my place.
to happen, especially after previously being arranged or planned The film festival takes place in October. We may never discover what took place that night.
to replace somebody/something She couldn't attend the meeting so her assistant took her place. Computers have taken the place of typewriters in most offices.
Check pronunciation: place
