place

¹place

noun \ˈplās\

Definition of PLACE

1

a : physical environment : space b : a way for admission or transit c : physical surroundings : atmosphere

2

a : an indefinite region or expanse <all over the place> b : a building or locality used for a special purpose <a place of learning> <a fine eating place> c archaic : the three-dimensional compass of a material object

3

a : a particular region, center of population, or location <a nice place to visit> b : a building, part of a building, or area occupied as a home <our summer place>

4

: a particular part of a surface or body : spot

5

: relative position in a scale or series: as a : position in a social scale <kept them in their place> b : a step in a sequence <in the first place, it's none of your business> c : a position at the conclusion of a competition <finished in last place>

6

a : a proper or designated niche or setting <the place of education in society> b : an appropriate moment or point <this is not the place to discuss compensation — Robert Moses> c : a distinct condition, position, or state of mind <the postfeminist generation is in a different place — Betty Friedan>

7

a : an available seat or accommodation <needs a place to stay> b : an empty or vacated position <new ones will take their place>

8

: the position of a figure in relation to others of a row or series; especially : the position of a digit within a numeral

9

a : remunerative employment : job b : prestige accorded to one of high rank : status <an endless quest for preferment and place — Time>

10

: a public square : plaza

11

: a small street or court

12

: second place at the finish (as of a horse race)

— in place

1

also into place

a : in an original or proper position

b : established, instituted, or operational <systems in place>

2

: in the same spot without forward or backward movement <run in place>

— in place of

: as a substitute or replacement for : instead of

— out of place

1

: not in the proper or usual location

2

: improper, inappropriate

Examples of PLACE

1. New York City is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
2. I've heard it's a good place to raise children.
3. places like Africa and South America
4. the hottest place on earth
5. churches and other places of worship
6. You should plan to meet him in a public place.
7. You've come to the right place. I have just what you need.
8. They gave him a place to stay for the night.
9. We're going to need a bigger place once the baby is born.
10. He's looking to buy a place in the country.

Origin of PLACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, open space, from Latin platea broad street, from Greek plateia (hodos), from feminine of platys broad, flat; akin to Sanskrit pṛthu broad, Latin planta sole of the foot

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to PLACE

Synonyms: emplacement, locale, locality, location, locus, point, position, site, spot, venue, where

Related Words: scene; precinct, region, section, sector; here, there

Near Antonyms: avocation; joblessness, unemployment

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with PLACE

ace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, face, grace, lace, mace, Mace, Naas, pace, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace