Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • a. & vb. n. of play.
  • See under Card.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An occasion on which something, such as a song or show, is played.
  • verb Present participle of play.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of playing a musical instrument
  • noun the action of taking part in a game or sport or other recreation
  • noun the performance of a part or role in a drama

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

play +‎ -ing

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Examples

  • The following example will make the reason clear: _No amateur athlete has a salary for playing, John Gorman is not an amateur athlete, Therefore John Gorman has a salary for playing_.

    The Making of Arguments J. H. Gardiner

  • Then it's, 'OK - I'm not playing well, I need to find some form, I'm ­playing in a struggling team at ­Newcastle,' or whatever it is.

    The Guardian World News 2010

  • Then it's, 'OK - I'm not playing well, I need to find some form, I'm ­playing in a struggling team at ­Newcastle,' or whatever it is.

    Football news, match reports and fixtures | guardian.co.uk 2010

  • Press Association Brazilian soccer legend Rivaldo, who made his name playing for Barcelona, recently signed with an Angolan club.

    Why Is This Soccer Star Moving to Angola? Gabriele Marcotti 2012

  • At any point you can take control of the game of your liking and begin playing from the same moment that was only playing on demo mode a moment ago.

    Bleep, Bleep. Bloop, Bloop. Video Games. 10-04/10-09 « Giant Killer Squid - Film, Comics, News, Reviews and more 2009

  • He let a fierce grin cross his face, the same grin he had used when he earned his nickname playing defense for the Philadelphia Eagles decades before.

    Unpretty Sharon Carter Rogers 2008

  • He let a fierce grin cross his face, the same grin he had used when he earned his nickname playing defense for the Philadelphia Eagles decades before.

    Unpretty Sharon Carter Rogers 2008

  • I first came across the term playing Ultima IV on my Apple IIe.

    Dead Metaphor Walking 2006

  • It wasn't always a comfortable fit for a singer who made his name playing spiffed-up guitar pop, and not just because the half-empty audience had a predictably substantial contingent of teens and tweens.

    Boston.com Top Stories 2011

  • Do you know what the phrase "playing chicken" means?

    msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines 2011

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