- 1 [uncountable] things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work the happy sounds of children at play the importance of learning through play a play area Synonymsentertainmentfun recreation relaxation play pleasure amusementThese are all words for things or activities used to entertain people when they are not working.entertainment films, television, music, etc. used to entertain people:There are three bars, with live entertainment seven nights a week.fun (rather informal) behaviour or activities that are not serious but come from a sense of enjoyment:It wasn’t serious—it was all done in fun. We didn’t mean to hurt him. It was just a bit of fun. The lottery provides harmless fun for millions.recreation (rather formal) things people do for enjoyment when they are not working:His only form of recreation is playing football.relaxation (rather formal) things people do to rest and enjoy themselves when they are not working; the ability to relax:I go hill-walking for relaxation.recreation or relaxation?Both these words can be used for a wide range of activities, physical and mental, but relaxation is sometimes used for gentler activities than recreation:I play the flute in a wind band for recreation. I listen to music for relaxation.play things that people, especially children, do for enjoyment rather than as work:the happy sounds of children at playpleasure the activity of enjoying yourself, especially in contrast to working:Are you in Paris for business or pleasure?amusement the fact of being entertained by something:What do you do for amusement round here?Patterns to do something for entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/pleasure/amusement to provide entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/amusement Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveoutdoor, creative, imaginative, … play + nounarea, equipment, house, … prepositionat play, in play See full entry in theatre
- 2 [countable] a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio to put on (= perform) a play a play by Shakespeare a radio play see also morality play, mystery play, Passion play Wordfinderactoractor, audition, body double, cameo, cast, play, role, star, stuntman, understudy Wordfinderdramacomedy, denouement, dialogue, drama, dramatic irony, play, scene, set, soliloquy, speech Wordfinderplayact, cast, drama, entrance, exit, line, play, role, scene, speech Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveone-act, stage, radio, … verb + playreview prepositionplay about See full entry See related entries: Radio broadcasting in sport
- 3[uncountable] the playing of a game Rain stopped play. There was some excellent play in yesterday's match. The spectators were asked to be quiet during play. see also fair play, foul play Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexcellent, good, bad, … verb + playstop prepositionin play, out of play phrasesat close of play, at start of play See full entry
- 4[countable] (North American English) an action or move in a game a defensive play Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivebig, final, defensive, … verb + playexecute, make, run, … See full entry in rope
- 5[uncountable] the possibility of free and easy movement We need more play in the rope. activity/influence
- 6[uncountable] the activity or operation of something; the influence of something on something else the free play of market forces The financial crisis has brought new factors into play. Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions. of light/a smile
- 7[uncountable] (literary) a light, quick movement that keeps changing the play of sunlight on water Word OriginOld English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, plega ‘brisk movement’, related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.Extra examples At close of play he had scored 38 not out. Children spend hours at play. He kicked the ball out of play. He made several nice defensive plays. He was sent off for foul play. I only said it in play. Rain stopped play 40 minutes into the match. The ball is still in play. The children always perform a nativity play every Christmas. The local council runs some good play schemes. The offensive coordinator has called 60 running plays and 44 passes. The play is reviewed in most of today’s papers. There were ten double plays completed. They ran 10 plays inside the 30 in the fourth quarter. a play about teenage runaways the final play of the first half the team’s ability to execute a play Kate’s class decided to put on a play for the school. The theatre was refused permission to stage the play. They are performing a play by Pinter. a children’s play area the happy sounds of children at playIdioms
- 1the stage that has been reached in a process, etc. which has not yet been completed What is the current state of play in the peace talks?
- 2(especially British English) the score in a sports match, especially in cricket
children
(saying) it is not healthy to spend all your time working; you need to relax too
(informal) to be very easy to do, so not even a child would find it difficult
(formal) to make use of something Chess is a game that calls into play all your powers of concentration.
to spend time playing with a toy, game, etc. I had a play with the new computer game.
(sport) (of a ball) inside/outside the area allowed by the rules of the game She just managed to keep the ball in play.
to emphasize the importance of a particular fact He made great play of the fact that his uncle was a duke.
to try to obtain something; to do things that are intended to produce a particular result She was making a play for the sales manager's job.
the humorous use of a word or phrase that can have two different meanings synonym pun
Check pronunciation: play
