play

verb (GAME)

/pleɪ/

Definition

A1 [I or T] to take part in a game or other organized activity: Do you want to play cards/football (with us)? Irene won't be able to play in the match on Saturday. Which team do you play for? Luke plays centre-forward (= plays in that position within the team).Sports and games generally B1 [T] to compete against a person or team in a game: Who are Aston Villa playing next week?Competing in sportCompeting and contending (non-sporting) › [T] to hit or kick a ball in a game: He played the ball back to the goalkeeper. A good snooker player takes time deciding which shot to play.General terms used in ball sports › [T] to choose a card, in a card game, from the ones you are holding and put it down on the table: She played the ace of spades.Actions involved in playing cards

(Definition of play verb (GAME) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)