English Dictionary

play

/pleɪ/

noun

(uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young. / (uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

I love to play soccer.

意味（1）

(uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

Children learn through play.

意味（2）

(uncountable) Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills.

意味（3）

(uncountable) The conduct, or course, of a game.

Play was very slow in the first half.

意味（4）

(uncountable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.

His play has improved a lot this season.

意味（5）

(countable) A short sequence of action within a game.

That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward.

意味（6）

(countable, turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.

AWARD is better than either WARED or WADER. However, there's an even better play! If you have looked at the two-to-make-three letter list, you may have noticed the word AWA.

意味（7）

(countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.

This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays.

意味（8）

(countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.

We saw a two-act play in the theatre.

意味（9）

(countable) An attempt to move forward, as in a plan or strategy, for example by a business, investor, or political party.

ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets.

意味（10）

(countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.

意味（11）

(uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely, as for example lash, backlash, or slack.

No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it.

意味（12）

(uncountable, informal) Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

The rarity of male domination in fantasy play is readily explained.

意味（13）

(countable) An instance of watching or listening to digital media.

The most-streamed artist of the year was British singer Ed Sheeran, who amassed 860 million plays with hits like “I See Fire.”

意味（14）

(countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.

意味（15）

(archaic, now usually in compounds) Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

handplay, swordplay