Definitions of play:

• noun:   the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully
• noun:   play by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules

  Example: "Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child"

• noun:   gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement

  Example: "It was all done in play"

• noun:   a preset plan of action in team sports

  Example: "The coach drew up the plays for her team"

• noun:   utilization or exercise

  Example: "The play of the imagination"

• noun:   a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

  Example: "He wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway"

• noun:   a theatrical performance of a drama

  Example: "The play lasted two hours"

• noun:   a state in which action is feasible

  Example: "The ball was still in play"

• noun:   the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

  Example: "It is still my play"

• noun:   an attempt to get something

  Example: "They made a futile play for power"

• noun:   movement or space for movement

  Example: "There was too much play in the steering wheel"

• noun:   verbal wit (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
• noun:   a weak and tremulous light

  Example: "The play of light on the water"

• noun:   the removal of constraints

  Example: "They gave full play to the artist's talent"

• noun:   the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)

  Example: "There was heavy play at the blackjack table"

• noun:   a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill

  Example: "The runner was out on a play by the shortstop"

• noun:   (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds

  Example: "Rain stopped play in the 4th inning"

• verb:   act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome

  Example: "This factor played only a minor part in his decision"

• verb:   engage in recreational activities rather than work; occupy oneself in a diversion

  Example: "On weekends I play"

• verb:   be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children

  Example: "The kids were playing outside all day"

• verb:   behave in a certain way

  Example: "Play safe"

• verb:   be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way

  Example: "This speech didn't play well with the American public"

• verb:   exhaust by allowing to pull on the line

  Example: "Play a hooked fish"

• verb:   participate in games or sport

  Example: "We played hockey all afternoon"

• verb:   employ in a game or in a specific position

  Example: "They played him on first base"

• verb:   use or move

  Example: "I had to play my queen"

• verb:   shoot or hit in a particular manner

  Example: "She played a good backhand last night"

• verb:   bet or wager (money)

  Example: "He played $20 on the new horse"

• verb:   put (a card or piece) into play during a game, or act strategically as if in a card game

  Example: "He is playing his cards close to his chest"

• verb:   make bets

  Example: "Play the reaces"

• verb:   use to one's advantage

  Example: "She plays on her clients' emotions"

• verb:   discharge or direct or be discharged or directed as if in a continuous stream

  Example: "Play water from a hose"

• verb:   engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously

  Example: "They played games on their opponents"

• verb:   perform on a certain location

  Example: "The prodigy played Carnegie Hall at the age of 16"

• verb:   be performed

  Example: "What's playing in the local movie theater?"

• verb:   cause to emit recorded sounds

  Example: "Can you play my favorite record?"

• verb:   emit recorded sound

  Example: "The tape was playing for hours"

• verb:   pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity

  Example: "Let's play like I am mommy"

• verb:   replay (as a melody)

  Example: "Play it again, Sam"

• verb:   play on an instrument

  Example: "The band played all night long"

• verb:   perform music on (a musical instrument)

  Example: "He plays the flute"

• verb:   move or seem to move quickly, lightly, or irregularly

  Example: "The spotlights played on the politicians"

• verb:   cause to move or operate freely within a bounded space

  Example: "The engine has a wheel that is playing in a rack"

• verb:   play a role or part

  Example: "Gielgud played Hamlet"

• verb:   perform on a stage or theater

  Example: "She acts in this play"

• verb:   pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

  Example: "She plays deaf when the news are bad"

• verb:   behave carelessly or indifferently

  Example: "Play about with a young girl's affection"

• verb:   consider not very seriously

  Example: "She plays with the thought of moving to Tasmania"

• verb:   contend against an opponent in a sport, game, or battle

  Example: "Princeton plays Yale this weekend"

• verb:   stake on the outcome of an issue

  Example: "She played all her money on the dark horse"

• verb:   cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

  Example: "Play a joke"

• verb:   manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

  Example: "She played nervously with her wedding ring"