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What does play mean?

Looking for the meaning or definition of the word play? Here's what it means.

Verb
  1. (intransitive) To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.
  2. (ergative) To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game).
    1. (transitive) To compete against, in a game.
    2. (transitive) (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.
  3. (transitive) To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.
  4. (heading, transitive, intransitive) To produce music or theatre.
    1. (music) To produce music.
    2. (intransitive, especially of a person) To produce music using a musical instrument.
    3. (transitive, especially of a person) To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument).
    4. (transitive, ergative) To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording.
    5. (intransitive, of a theatrical performance) To be performed; (or of a film) to be shown.
    6. (transitive, of a theatrical company or band, etc.) To perform in or at; to give performances in or at.
    7. (transitive) To act or perform (a play).
  5. (heading) To behave in a particular way.
    1. (copular verb) Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being.
    2. (intransitive) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.
    3. (intransitive) To act; to behave; to practice deception.
    4. (transitive) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.
  6. (intransitive) To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.
  7. (intransitive) To move gaily; to disport.
  8. (transitive) To put in action or motion.
  9. (transitive) To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
  10. (transitive) To manipulate or deceive someone.
Noun
  1. (uncountable, formerly countable) Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.
  2. (uncountable) Similar activity, in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.
  3. (uncountable, ethology) "Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions..., and initiated voluntarily when... in a low-stress setting."
  4. The conduct, or course of a game.
  5. (countable) An individual's performance in a sport or game.
  6. (countable) (turn-based games) An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.
  7. (countable) A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.
  8. (countable) A theatrical performance featuring actors.
  9. (countable) A major move by a business.
  10. (countable) A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.
  11. (uncountable) The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.
  12. (countable) A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.
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