a dramatic composition or piece; drama.

a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness

I said it merely in play.

a pun.

the playing, action, or conduct of a game

The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.

the manner or style of playing or of doing something

We admired his fine play throughout the game.

an act or instance of playing or of doing something

a stupid play that cost us the match.

one's turn to play

Whose play is it?

a playing for stakes; gambling.

an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver

They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play.

an enterprise or venture; deal

an oil and drilling play.

action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind

fair play; foul play.

action, activity, or operation

the play of fancy.

brisk, light, or changing movement or action

a fountain with a leaping play of water.

elusive change or movement, as of light or colors

the play of a searchlight against the night sky.

a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move.

freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism.

freedom for action, or scope for activity

full play of the mind.

attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news

The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.

an act or instance of being broadcast

The governor's speech got two plays on our local station.

to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray

to play Lady Macbeth.

to perform (a drama, pantomime, etc.) on or as if on the stage.

to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life

to play the role of benefactor.

to act the part or character of in real life

to play the fool; to play God.

to give performances in, as a theatrical company does

to play the larger cities.

to engage in (a game, pastime, etc.).

to contend against in a game.

to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition

He usually plays left end.

to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game

I played my highest card.

to use as if in playing a game, as for one's own advantage

He played his brothers against each other.

to stake or wager, as in a game.

to lay a wager or wagers on (something).

to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest

to play cowboys and Indians.

to perform on (a musical instrument).

to perform (music) on an instrument.

to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures

to play a tape; to play the radio.

to do or perform

You shouldn't play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage.

to carry or put into operation; act upon

to play a hunch.

to cause to move or change lightly or quickly

to play colored lights on a fountain.

to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action

to play a hose on a fire.

to allow (a hooked fish) to exhaust itself by pulling on the line.

to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently

Play the flood photos on page one.

to exploit or trade in (an investment, business opportunity, stock, etc.).

to exercise or employ oneself in diversion, amusement, or recreation.

to do something in sport that is not to be taken seriously.

to amuse oneself; toy; trifle (often fol. by with ).

to take part or engage in a game.

to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.

to conduct oneself or act in a specified way

to play fair.

to act on or as if on the stage; perform.

to perform on a musical instrument.

(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance

The strings are playing well this evening.

(of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound

The radio played all night.

to be performed or shown

What's playing at the movie theater around the corner?

to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script

We hope this scene will play well.

Informal . to be accepted or effective; fare

How will the senator's proposal play with the public?

to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism.

to move about lightly or quickly

The water of the fountain played in the air.

to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance

The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors.

to operate continuously or with repeated action.

Informal . to comply or cooperate

They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play.

play along,

to cooperate or concur; go along.

to pretend to cooperate or concur.

play around, Informal .

to behave in a playful or frivolous manner; fool around.

to be sexually promiscuous.

to be sexually unfaithful.

play at,

to pretend interest in

It's obvious that you're just playing at fishing for my sake.

to do something without seriousness

He is merely playing at being a student.

play back, to play (a recording, esp. one newly made)

Play it back and let's hear how I sound.

play down, to treat as of little importance; belittle

He has consistently played down his own part in the successful enterprise.

play off,

Sports . to play an extra game or round in order to settle a tie.

Sports . to engage in an elimination game or games after the regular season is over in order to determine the champion.

to set (one person or thing) against another, usually for one's own gain or advantage

The children could usually get what they wanted by playing one parent off against the other.

play on or upon, to exploit, as the feelings or weaknesses of another; take selfish advantage of

She would never think of playing on the good nature of others.

play out,

to bring to an end; finish.

to use up; exhaust

to play out one's supplies.

to reel or pay out, as a rope, line, etc.

play up, to emphasize the importance of; highlight or publicize

The schools are playing up their science programs.

bring into play

to put into motion; cause to be introduced

New evidence has been brought into play in this trial.

come to play

Informal . to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed

We're a small new business, but we came to play.

in or out of play

in or not in the state of being played during a game

The umpire says the ball was not in play.

make a play for

Informal .

to try to attract, esp. sexually

He made a play for his friend's girlfriend.

to attempt to gain by impressing favorably

This ad will make a play for new consumer markets.

play ball. ball 1 ( def. 23 ) .

play both ends against the middle

to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself.

play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music

as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct.

played out

exhausted; weary.

out of fashion; hackneyed

New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York.

used up; finished

The original tires were played out and had to be replaced.

play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner

esp. to employ deception to gain one's ends

to play fast and loose with someone's affections.

play for time

to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision

Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time.

play hardball. hardball ( def. 4 ) .

play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone

esp. an opponent)

If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands. Also, play into (someone's) hands.

play it by ear, to improvise

esp. in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors

If you can't come up with a plan, we'll just have to play it by ear.

play one's cards. card 1 ( def. 21 ) .

play politics. politics ( def. 8 ) .

play possum. possum ( def. 3 ) .

play second fiddle. second fiddle ( def. 1 ) .

play the field. field ( def. 39 ) .

play the game. game 1 ( def. 23 ) .

play up to

Informal . to attempt to impress in order to gain someone's favor

Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates.

play with a full deck. deck ( def. 23 ) .

play with fire. fire ( def. 54 ) .

play with oneself

Informal . to masturbate.