1 [count] : a piece of writing that tells a story through the actions and words of characters and that is performed on a stage
▪ The play is based on a real-life event. ▪ He wrote, directed, and starred in the play. ▪ plays by Shakespeare ▪ His fifth grade class is putting on a play about the first Thanksgiving. ▪ I've gone to all of my daughter's school plays. ▪ She's currently adapting a stage play [=a play that is written to be performed on a stage] for the big screen. — see also mystery play, passion play, screenplay 2 [noncount] : activities that are done especially by children for fun or enjoyment
▪ The book discusses the role of play in a child's development. ▪ imaginative play ▪ As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” ▪ a safe play area ▪ the sounds of children at play [=the sounds of children playing] — see also child's play 3 a [noncount] : the action that happens during a game
▪ Please, no talking during play. ▪ Rain held up play for an hour. ▪ The chess match finally ended after three hours of play. ▪ The two golfers were tied at the start of play yesterday. ▪ We were surprised with/by the other team's level/quality of play.
b : the time when a person playing a game is supposed to do something [count] ▪ It's your play. [=(more commonly) turn] [noncount] ▪ Roll the dice to determine the order of play. [=to decide who plays first, second, etc.] 4 [count] US : a particular action or set of actions that happens during a game: such as a American football : a planned attempt to move the ball forward or to stop an opponent from moving the ball forward
▪ The quarterback called out the play to his teammates. ▪ He ran 50 yards on that last play. ▪ running/passing plays ▪ a defensive/offensive play
b baseball : an action that is done to try to get a player out
▪ He was called safe on a close play at first base. — often used with make ▪ The shortstop made a great play to end the inning. ▪ She had a chance to catch the ball, but she failed to make the play. — see also double play, triple play
c : the act of moving a piece in a game like chess or checkers
▪ the first/opening play [=move] of the game 5 [noncount] : the state of being active or having an effect
▪ the play of market forces ▪ She promotes the free play of ideas in her classroom. ▪ Several issues are at play [=are involved] in determining the price of gasoline. ▪ The students' creativity was brought/called/put into play on this last assignment. [=the students had to use their creativity] ▪ Two important factors come into play. [=are involved] 6 [noncount] a : time when a musical recording is played by a radio station : airplay
▪ The song has been getting heavy radio play. [=radio stations have been playing the song frequently]
b US : attention in newspapers, on television, etc.
▪ The story has so far received little play in the press. [=has not gotten much attention in the press] 7 [count] : a humorous or clever way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested — + on ▪ The title of the article makes a play on the prime minister's last name. ▪ a play on the word's original meaning ▪ a clever play on words [=pun] — see also wordplay 8 [noncount] a : a function of a machine that causes recorded sounds or pictures to be heard or seen
▪ Press “Play” to start the movie.
b : time when a machine is being used to hear or see recorded sounds or pictures
▪ The CD player's batteries only provided three to four hours of play. 9 [singular] : the irregular or lively movement of something
▪ Look at the dazzling play of colors in this diamond. ▪ a play of shadow and light 10 [noncount] : loose and free movement of something (such as part of a machine)
▪ There's too much play in the car's steering wheel.