2place verb
places; placed; plac·ing 1 [+ obj] : to put (something or someone) in a particular place or position
▪ Please place [=set, lay] the book on my desk. ▪ She placed [=rested] her hand on his shoulder. ▪ The box was placed at the center of the room. ▪ You can really see the similarities when you place the two pictures side by side. ▪ Her name was placed on the list. ▪ The husbands and wives were placed in separate groups. ▪ New flowers had been placed [=positioned] around the edges of the garden. ▪ They were placed next to each other in line. 2 [+ obj] : to put (someone or something) in a particular state, condition, or situation
▪ Working with sick people places him at risk for infection. ▪ By not accepting the prosecutor's deal, he places his future in the hands of the jury. ▪ We're placing you under arrest. ▪ He was released from jail and placed on probation. 3 [+ obj] a — used to say that something is thought of as important, valuable, etc. — + on or upon ▪ They place great importance on both work and family. [=they believe that both work and family are important] ▪ She talked about the high value that her parents place on education. ▪ Some parents place a lot of emphasis on winning, but we just want our children to have fun playing sports.
b — used to say who or what you believe should be trusted, blamed, etc. ▪ We have no choice but to place our faith in the legal system. [=to trust the legal system] ▪ Too many children in this country are overweight, and I place most of the blame on a lack of exercise. [=I blame the problem on a lack of exercise] ▪ Their plan places heavy reliance [=their plan relies heavily] upon cooperation from others. 4 [+ obj] : to cause or require someone or something to deal with (a demand, burden, etc.) — + on or upon ▪ The growing population is placing increasing demands on our schools. [=it is causing our schools to deal with increasing demands] ▪ The financial burden of the program is ultimately placed upon the taxpayers. [=the taxpayers have to pay for the program] ▪ He managed to get a lot done, considering the time constraints that were placed on him. ▪ restrictions placed upon a person's freedom 5 [+ obj] a : to perform the actions that are required for (something)
▪ He placed a collect (phone) call to his wife. ▪ Place your bets.
b : to give (an order) to someone
▪ The company placed an order (with the manufacturer) for an additional 100 units. ▪ “Are you ready to place your order?” asked the waiter.
c : to cause (something, such as an advertisement) to appear somewhere
▪ We tried selling our house by placing an ad in the newspaper. 6 [+ obj] : to find an appropriate place for (someone) to live, work, or learn
▪ The agency helps place unemployed workers. ▪ The child was removed from the home and placed in the care of relatives. ▪ The children were placed with a foster family. ▪ In high school, she was placed in advanced math and science classes. 7 [+ obj] : to show or prove the location of (someone or something) at a particular time
▪ The evidence places you at the scene of the crime. ▪ Investigators were able to place him at several of these meetings. ▪ The company's records place three of their trucks in the area that day. 8 [+ obj] : to remember where you saw (someone or someone's face) in the past
▪ The man looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him. ▪ It wasn't until later that I placed her face: she was my ninth grade English teacher, Ms. Lee. 9 a [no obj] US : to end a race or competition in a particular position
▪ He placed fifth in last year's race. ▪ The team placed second overall. ▪ The first three participants to place in each event will receive medals.
b Brit ◊Someone who is placed first, second, (etc.) in a race or competition has finished in that position.
▪ He was placed fifth in last year's race. ▪ The team was placed second overall. 10 [+ obj] : to give (someone or something) a particular rank in a series or category
▪ Tolstoy's War and Peace is often placed [=ranked, rated] among the greatest masterpieces of world literature. ▪ Among the most serious problems facing the world, global warming is often placed first. ▪ The administration places [=puts, sets] improving the country's health-care system high on their list of priorities.
▪ Please place [=set, lay] the book on my desk. ▪ She placed [=rested] her hand on his shoulder. ▪ The box was placed at the center of the room. ▪ You can really see the similarities when you place the two pictures side by side. ▪ Her name was placed on the list. ▪ The husbands and wives were placed in separate groups. ▪ New flowers had been placed [=positioned] around the edges of the garden. ▪ They were placed next to each other in line.
▪ Working with sick people places him at risk for infection. ▪ By not accepting the prosecutor's deal, he places his future in the hands of the jury. ▪ We're placing you under arrest. ▪ He was released from jail and placed on probation.
b — used to say who or what you believe should be trusted, blamed, etc. ▪ We have no choice but to place our faith in the legal system. [=to trust the legal system] ▪ Too many children in this country are overweight, and I place most of the blame on a lack of exercise. [=I blame the problem on a lack of exercise] ▪ Their plan places heavy reliance [=their plan relies heavily] upon cooperation from others.
▪ He placed a collect (phone) call to his wife. ▪ Place your bets.
b : to give (an order) to someone
▪ The company placed an order (with the manufacturer) for an additional 100 units. ▪ “Are you ready to place your order?” asked the waiter.
c : to cause (something, such as an advertisement) to appear somewhere
▪ We tried selling our house by placing an ad in the newspaper.
▪ The agency helps place unemployed workers. ▪ The child was removed from the home and placed in the care of relatives. ▪ The children were placed with a foster family. ▪ In high school, she was placed in advanced math and science classes.
▪ The evidence places you at the scene of the crime. ▪ Investigators were able to place him at several of these meetings. ▪ The company's records place three of their trucks in the area that day.
▪ The man looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him. ▪ It wasn't until later that I placed her face: she was my ninth grade English teacher, Ms. Lee.
▪ He placed fifth in last year's race. ▪ The team placed second overall. ▪ The first three participants to place in each event will receive medals.
b Brit ◊Someone who is placed first, second, (etc.) in a race or competition has finished in that position.
▪ He was placed fifth in last year's race. ▪ The team was placed second overall.
▪ Tolstoy's War and Peace is often placed [=ranked, rated] among the greatest masterpieces of world literature. ▪ Among the most serious problems facing the world, global warming is often placed first. ▪ The administration places [=puts, sets] improving the country's health-care system high on their list of priorities.
