play (Noun) — (drama) a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage. ex. "he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"
play (Noun) — A theatrical performance of a drama. ex. "the play lasted two hours"
play (Noun) — A preset plan of action in team sports. ex. "the coach drew up the plays for her team"
play (Noun) — A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill. ex. "the runner was out on a play by the shortstop"
play (Noun) — A state in which action is feasible. ex. "the ball was still in play" ex. "insiders said the company's stock was in play"
play (Noun) — Utilization or exercise. ex. "the play of the imagination"
play (Noun) — An attempt to get something. ex. "they made a futile play for power"
play (Noun) — Activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules. ex. "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"
play (Noun) — (in games, plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds. ex. "rain stopped play in the 4th inning"
play (Noun) — The removal of constraints. ex. "they gave full play to the artist's talent"
play (Noun) — A weak and tremulous light. ex. "the play of light on the water"
play (Noun) — Verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously). ex. "he became a figure of play"
play (Noun) — Movement or space for movement. ex. "there was too much play in the steering wheel"
play (Noun) — Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement. ex. "it was all done in play"
play (Noun) — (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession. ex. "it is still my play"
play (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). ex. "there was heavy play at the blackjack table"
play (Noun) — The act of using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skilfully.
play (Verb) — Participate in a game or sport. ex. "We played hockey all afternoon" ex. "play cards" ex. "Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches"
play (Verb) — Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome. ex. "This factor played only a minor part in his decision" ex. "This development played into her hands" ex. "I played no role in your dismissal"
play (Verb) — (music) Perform music using musical instruments. ex. "The band played all night long"
play (Verb) — (performing arts) Perform a role or part. ex. "Gielgud played Hamlet" ex. "She played the servant to her husband's master"
play (Verb) — Be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children. ex. "The kids were playing outside all day" ex. "I used to play with trucks as a little girl"
play (Verb) — Replay (as a melody). ex. "Play it again, Sam" ex. "She played the third movement very beautifully"
play (Verb) — (music) perform music on (a musical instrument). ex. "He plays the flute" ex. "Can you play on this old recorder?"
play (Verb) — Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind. ex. "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
play (Verb) — Move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly. ex. "The spotlights played on the politicians"
play (Verb) — Bet or wager (money). ex. "He played $20 on the new horse" ex. "She plays the races"
play (Verb) — Engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion. ex. "On weekends I play"
play (Verb) — Pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity. ex. "Let's play like I am mommy" ex. "Play cowboy and Indians"
play (Verb) — Emit recorded sound. ex. "The tape was playing for hours" ex. "the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered"
play (Verb) — (performing arts) perform on a certain location. ex. "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16" ex. "She has been playing on Broadway for years"
play (Verb) — Put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game. ex. "He is playing his cards close to his chest" ex. "The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory"
play (Verb) — Engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously. ex. "They played games on their opponents" ex. "play the stock market" ex. "play with her feelings"
play (Verb) — Behave in a certain way. ex. "play safe" ex. "play it safe" ex. "play fair"
play (Verb) — Cause to emit recorded audio or video. ex. "I'll play you my favourite record" ex. "He never tires of playing that video"
play (Verb) — Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination. ex. "She played nervously with her wedding ring" ex. "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
play (Verb) — Use to one's advantage. ex. "She plays on her clients' emotions"
play (Verb) — Consider not very seriously. ex. "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"
play (Verb) — Be received, accepted or interpreted in a specific way. ex. "This speech didn't play well with the American public" ex. "His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee"
play (Verb) — Behave carelessly or indifferently. ex. "Play about with a young girl's affection"
play (Verb) — Cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space. ex. "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"
play (Verb) — (dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theatre. ex. "She acts in this play" ex. "I played in 'A Christmas Carol'" ex. "She roleplays in this play" ex. "She playacts in this play"
play (Verb) — (performing arts) be performed or presented for public viewing. ex. "What's playing in the local movie theatre?" ex. "'Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years"
play (Verb) — Cause to happen or to occur as a consequence. ex. "play a joke"
play (Verb) — Discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream. ex. "play water from a hose" ex. "The fountains played all day"
play (Verb) — Make bets. ex. "Play the races" ex. "play the casinos in Trouville"
play (Verb) — Stake on the outcome of an issue. ex. "She played all her money on the dark horse"
play (Verb) — Shoot or hit in a particular manner. ex. "She played a good backhand last night"
play (Verb) — Use or move. ex. "I had to play my queen"
play (Verb) — Employ in a game or in a specific position. ex. "They played him on first base"
play (Verb) — Contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle. ex. "Princeton plays Yale this weekend" ex. "Charlie likes to play Mary"
play (Verb) — Exhaust by allowing to pull on the line. ex. "play a hooked fish"