n.

1. a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage;
   drama, dramatic play
   
   • he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway
2. a theatrical performance of a drama
   
   • the play lasted two hours
3. a preset plan of action in team sports
   
   • the coach drew up the plays for her team
4. a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;
   maneuver, manoeuvre
   
   • he made a great maneuver
   • the runner was out on a play by the shortstop
5. a state in which action is feasible
   
   • the ball was still in play
   • insiders said the company's stock was in play
6. utilization or exercise
   
   • the play of the imagination
7. an attempt to get something;
   bid
   
   • they made a futile play for power
   • he made a bid to gain attention
8. activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules;
   child's play
   
   • Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child
9. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds;
   playing period, period of play
   
   • rain stopped play in the 4th inning
10. the removal of constraints;
    free rein
    
    • he gave free rein to his impulses
    • they gave full play to the artist's talent
11. a weak and tremulous light;
    shimmer
    
    • the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers
    • the play of light on the water
12. verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously);
    fun, sport
    
    • he became a figure of fun
    • he said it in sport
13. movement or space for movement;
    looseness
    
    • there was too much play in the steering wheel
14. gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement;
    frolic, romp, gambol, caper
    
    • it was all done in play
    • their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly
15. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
    turn
    
    • it is my turn
    • it is still my play
16. the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize);
    gambling, gaming
    
    • his gambling cost him a fortune
    • there was heavy play at the blackjack table
17. the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully;
    swordplay

v.

1. participate in games or sport
   
   • We played hockey all afternoon
   • play cards
   • Pele played for the Brazilian teams in many important matches
2. 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
   • This development played into her hands
   • I played no role in your dismissal
3. play on an instrument
   
   • The band played all night long
4. play a role or part;
   act, represent
   
   • Gielgud played Hamlet
   • She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
   • She played the servant to her husband's master
5. be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children
   
   • The kids were playing outside all day
   • I used to play with trucks as a little girl
6. replay (as a melody);
   spiel
   
   • Play it again, Sam
   • She played the third movement very beautifully
7. perform music on (a musical instrument)
   
   • He plays the flute
   • Can you play on this old recorder?
8. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
   act, act as
   
   • He acted the idiot
   • She plays deaf when the news are bad
9. move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly
   
   • The spotlights played on the politicians
10. bet or wager (money)
    
    • He played $20 on the new horse
    • She plays the races
11. engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion;
    recreate
    
    • On weekends I play
    • The students all recreate alike
12. pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity
    
    • Let's play like I am mommy
    • Play cowboy and Indians
13. emit recorded sound
    
    • The tape was playing for hours
    • the stereo was playing Beethoven when I entered
14. perform on a certain location
    
    • The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16
    • She has been playing on Broadway for years
15. 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
    • The Democrats still have some cards to play before they will concede the electoral victory
16. engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously;
    toy
    
    • They played games on their opponents
    • play the stock market
    • play with her feelings
    • toy with an idea
17. behave in a certain way
    
    • play safe
    • play it safe
    • play fair
18. cause to emit recorded sounds;
    run
    
    • They ran the tapes over and over again
    • Can you play my favorite record?
19. manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination;
    toy, fiddle, diddle
    
    • She played nervously with her wedding ring
    • Don't fiddle with the screws
    • He played with the idea of running for the Senate
20. use to one's advantage
    
    • She plays on her clients' emotions
21. consider not very seriously;
    dally, trifle
    
    • He is trifling with her
    • She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania
22. be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way
    
    • This speech didn't play well with the American public
    • His remarks played to the suspicions of the committee
23. behave carelessly or indifferently;
    dally, toy, flirt
    
    • Play about with a young girl's affection
24. cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space
    
    • The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack
25. perform on a stage or theater;
    act, roleplay, playact
    
    • She acts in this play
    • He acted in `Julius Caesar'
    • I played in `A Christmas Carol'
26. be performed
    
    • What's playing in the local movie theater?
    • `Cats' has been playing on Broadway for many years
27. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence;
    bring, work, wreak, make for
    
    • I cannot work a miracle
    • wreak havoc
    • bring comments
    • play a joke
    • The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
28. discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream
    
    • play water from a hose
    • The fountains played all day
29. make bets
    
    • Play the races
    • play the casinos in Trouville
30. stake on the outcome of an issue;
    bet, wager
    
    • I bet $100 on that new horse
    • She played all her money on the dark horse
31. shoot or hit in a particular manner
    
    • She played a good backhand last night
32. use or move
    
    • I had to play my queen
33. employ in a game or in a specific position
    
    • They played him on first base
34. contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle;
    meet, encounter, take on
    
    • Princeton plays Yale this weekend
    • Charlie likes to play Mary
35. exhaust by allowing to pull on the line
    
    • play a hooked fish