Play Children I Pleɪ Happy Sounds Area Game

• the happy sounds of children at play
• the importance of learning through play
• a play area
• there are three bars, with live entertainment seven nights a week.

play

1. things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work
• the happy sounds of children at play
• the importance of learning through play
• a play area
• There are three bars, with live entertainment seven nights a week.
• It wasn’t serious—it was all done in fun.
• We didn’t mean to hurt him. It was just a bit of fun.
• The lottery provides harmless fun for millions.
• His only form of recreation is playing football.
• I go hill-walking for relaxation.
• I play the flute in a wind band for recreation.
• I listen to music for relaxation.
• the happy sounds of children at play
• Are you in Paris for business or pleasure?
• What do you do for amusement round here?
2. a piece of writing performed by actors in a theatre or on television or radio
• see also morality play
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/morality-play
• to put on (= perform) a play
• a play by Shakespeare
• a radio play
3. the playing of a game
• see also fair play
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/fair-play
• Rain stopped play.
• There was some excellent play in yesterday's match.
• The spectators were asked to be quiet during play.
4. an action or move in a game
• a defensive play
5. the possibility of free and easy movement
• We need more play in the rope.
6. the activity or operation of something; the influence of something on something else
• the free play of market forces
• The financial crisis has brought new factors into play.
• Personal feelings should not come into play when you are making business decisions.
7. a light, quick movement that keeps changing
• the play of sunlight on water
8. it is not healthy to spend all your time working; you need to relax too
9. to be very easy to do, so not even a child would find it difficult
10. to make use of something
• Chess is a game that calls into play all your powers of concentration.
11. to spend time playing with a toy, game, etc.
• I had a play with the new computer game.
12. inside/outside the area allowed by the rules of the game
• She just managed to keep the ball in play.
13. to emphasize the importance of a particular fact
• He made great play of the fact that his uncle was a duke.
14. to try to obtain something; to do things that are intended to produce a particular result
• She was making a play for the sales manager's job.
15. the humorous use of a word or phrase that can have two different meanings
• synonym pun
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/pun_1
16. the stage that has been reached in a process, etc. which has not yet been completed
• What is the current state of play in the peace talks?
17. the score in a sports match, especially in cricket

Extra Examples

• At close of play he had scored 38 not out.
• Children spend hours at play.
• He kicked the ball out of play.
• He made several nice defensive plays.
• He was sent off for foul play.
• I only said it in play.
• Rain stopped play 40 minutes into the match.
• The ball is still in play.
• The children always perform a nativity play every Christmas.
• The local council runs some good play schemes.
• The offensive coordinator has called 60 running plays and 44 passes.
• The play is reviewed in most of today’s papers.
• There were ten double plays completed.
• They ran 10 plays inside the 30 in the fourth quarter.
• a play about teenage runaways
• the final play of the first half
• the team’s ability to execute a play
• Kate’s class decided to put on a play for the school.
• The theatre was refused permission to stage the play.
• They are performing a play by Pinter.
• a children’s play area
• the happy sounds of children at play

Word Origin

• Old English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, plega ‘brisk movement’, related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.