–noun

1.	a dramatic composition or piece; drama.

2.	a dramatic performance, as on the stage.

3.	exercise or activity for amusement or recreation.

4.	fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play.

5.

a pun.

6.	the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play.

7.< 3fb /td>

the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game.

8.	an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match.

9.	one's turn to play: Whose play is it?

10.	a playing for stakes; gambling.

11.	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.

< 3e8 td valign="top" class="dn">12.

an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play.

13.	action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play; foul play.

14.	action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy.

15.	brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water.

16.	elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky.

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

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

19.	freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind.

20.	attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers.

21.	an act or instance of being broadcast: The governor's speech got two plays on our local station.

–verb (used with object)

22.	to act the part of (a person or character) in a dramatic performance; portray: to play Lady Macbeth.

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

24.	to act or sustain (a part) in a dramatic performance or in real life: to play the role of benefactor.

25.	to act the part or character of in real life: to play the fool; to play God.

26.	to give performances in, as a theatrical company does: to play the larger cities.

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

28.	to contend against in a game.

29.	to function or perform as (a specified player) in a game or competition: He usually plays left end.

30.	to employ (a piece of equipment, a player, etc.) in a game: I played my highest card.

31.	to use as if in playing a game, as for one's own advantage: He played his brothers against each other.

32.	to stake or wager, as in a game.

33.	to lay a wager or wagers on (something).

34.	to represent or imitate, as for recreation or in jest: to play cowboys and Indians.

< 8f4 td valign="top" class="dn">35.

to perform on (a musical instrument).

36.	to perform (music) on an instrument.

37.	to cause (a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to produce sound or pictures: to play a tape; to play the radio.

38.	to do or perform: You shouldn't play tricks. Compromise plays an important part in marriage.

39.	to carry or put into operation; act upon: to play a hunch.

40.	to cause to move or change lightly or quickly: to play colored lights on a fountain.

41.	to operate or cause to operate, esp. continuously or with repeated action: to play a hose on a fire.

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

43.	to display or feature (a news story, photograph, etc.), esp. prominently: Play the flood photos on page one.

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

–verb (used without object)

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

46.	to do someth 7f1 ing in sport that is not to be taken seriously.

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

48.	to take part or engage in a game.

49.	to take part in a game for stakes; gamble.

50.	to conduct oneself or act in a specified way: to play fair.

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

52.	to perform on a musical instrument.

53.	(of an instrument or music) to sound in performance: The strings are playing well this evening.

54.	(of a phonograph, radio, recording, etc.) to give forth sound: The radio played all night.

55.	to be performed or shown: What's playing at the movie theater around the corner?

56.	to be capable of or suitable for performance, as a television or dramatic script: We hope this scene will play well.

57.	Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator's proposal play with the public?

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

59.	to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air.

60.	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.

61.	to operate continuously or with repeated action.