play

Sense 1 noun

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway

Sense 2 verb

participate in games or sport

We played hockey all afternoon

Sense 3 noun

a theatrical performance of a drama

the play lasted two hours

Sense 4 verb

act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

This factor played only a minor part in his decision

Sense 5 noun

a preset plan of action in team sports

the coach drew up the plays for her team

Sense 6 verb

play on an instrument

The band played all night long

Sense 7 noun

a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

he made a great maneuver

Sense 8 verb

play a role or part

Gielgud played Hamlet

Sense 9 noun

a state in which action is feasible

the ball was still in play

Sense 10 verb

be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

The kids were playing outside all day

Sense 11 noun

utilization or exercise

the play of the imagination

Sense 12 verb

replay (as a melody)

Play it again, Sam

Sense 13 noun

an attempt to get something

they made a futile play for power

Sense 14 verb

perform music on (a musical instrument)

He plays the flute

Sense 15 noun

activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child

Sense 16 verb

pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

He acted the idiot

Sense 17 noun

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

rain stopped play in the 4th inning

Sense 18 verb

move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

The spotlights played on the politicians

Sense 19 noun

the removal of constraints

he gave free rein to his impulses

Sense 20 verb

bet or wager (money)

He played $20 on the new horse

Sense 21 noun

a weak and tremulous light

the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers

Sense 22 verb

engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

On weekends I play

Sense 23 noun

verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)

he became a figure of fun

Sense 24 verb

pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

Let's play like I am mommy

Sense 25 noun

movement or space for movement

there was too much play in the steering wheel

Sense 26 verb

emit recorded sound

The tape was playing for hours

Sense 27 noun

gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

it was all done in play

Sense 28 verb

perform on a certain location

The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16

Sense 29 noun

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

it is my turn

Sense 30 verb

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

He is playing his cards close to his chest

Sense 31 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)

his gambling cost him a fortune

Sense 32 verb

engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

They played games on their opponents

Sense 33 noun

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

Sense 34 verb

behave in a certain way

play safe

Sense 35 verb

cause to emit recorded audio or video

They ran the tapes over and over again

Sense 36 verb

manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

She played nervously with her wedding ring

Sense 37 verb

use to one's advantage

She plays on her clients' emotions

Sense 38 verb

consider not very seriously

He is trifling with her

Sense 39 verb

be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

This speech didn't play well with the American public

Sense 40 verb

behave carelessly or indifferently

Play about with a young girl's affection

Sense 41 verb

cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack

Sense 42 verb

perform on a stage or theater

She acts in this play

Sense 43 verb

be performed or presented for public viewing

What's playing in the local movie theater?

Sense 44 verb

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

I cannot work a miracle

Sense 45 verb

discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

play water from a hose

Sense 46 verb

make bets

Play the races

Sense 47 verb

stake on the outcome of an issue

I bet $100 on that new horse

Sense 48 verb

shoot or hit in a particular manner

She played a good backhand last night

Sense 49 verb

use or move

I had to play my queen

Sense 50 verb

employ in a game or in a specific position

They played him on first base

Sense 51 verb

contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

Princeton plays Yale this weekend

Sense 52 verb

exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

play a hooked fish