play

intransitive verb

1. to move lightly, rapidly, or erratically; flutter sunlight playing on the waves
2. to amuse oneself, as by taking part in a game or sport; engage in recreation
3. to take active part in a game or sport not playing because of an injury
4. to engage in a game for stakes; gamble
5. 1. to act, deal, or touch carelessly or lightly; trifle: with a thing or person
   2. Obsolete to engage in sexual activity; dally
6. to perform on a musical instrument
7. to give out sounds, esp. musical sounds: said of an instrument, phonograph or tape recorder, etc.
8. to lend itself to performance a drama that does not play well
9. to act in a specified way; esp., to pretend to be to play dumb
10. to act in or as in a drama; perform on the stage
11. to be performed or presented in a theater, on radio or TV, etc. what movie is playing?
12. to move freely within limits, as parts of a machine
13. to be ejected, discharged, or directed repeatedly or continuously, as a fountain, a spotlight, etc.: with on, over, or along
14. to impose unscrupulously (on another's feelings or susceptibilities)
15. Informal to achieve acceptance, success, etc.

Etymology: ME plein < OE plegan, to play, be active

transitive verb

1. 1. to take part in (a game or sport)
   2. to be stationed at (a specified position) in a sport
2. to oppose (a person, team, etc.) in a game or contest
3. to enter or use (a player, etc.) in a game or contest
4. to do (something), as in fun or to deceive play tricks
5. 1. to bet
   2. ☆ to bet on play the horses
   3. ☆ to act on the basis of play a hunch
6. ☆ to speculate in (the stock market)
7. to cause to move, act, operate, etc.; wield; ply
8. to put (a specified card) into play to play an ace
9. to cause or effect to play havoc
10. to perform (music)
11. 1. to perform on (a musical instrument)
    2. to cause (a phonograph, phonograph record, tape recorder, tape, etc.) to give out sounds, images, etc.
12. to accompany or lead (someone) with music: with in, off, etc.
13. to perform (a drama or dramatic passage)
14. to act the part of to play Iago, to play the fool
15. to imitate the activities of, as children do for amusement to play teacher, to play house
16. ☆ to give performances in to play Boston for a week
17. to eject or direct (water, light, etc.) repeatedly or continuously (on, over, or along)
18. to let (a hooked fish) tire itself by tugging at the line
19. ☆ to use or exploit (a person) played him for a fool

noun

1. action, motion, or activity, esp. when free, rapid, or light the play of muscles
2. freedom or scope for motion or action, esp. of a mechanism
3. activity engaged in for amusement or recreation; sport, games, etc.; often, specif., the natural activities of children
4. fun; joking to do a thing in play
5. 1. the playing of a game
   2. the way or technique of playing a game
6. 1. a maneuver, move, or act in a game; specif., a planned, coordinated action executed by members of a team during a game
   2. a turn at playing
7. the act of gambling
8. a dramatic composition or performance; drama
9. Obsolete sexual activity; dalliance