place
PLAYS
Place (noun) means a particular area, location, or spot. Example: “Is there a place near here where we can buy fresh bread?”
noun
1
A particular area, location, or spot.
"Is there a place near here where we can buy fresh bread?"
"This is a lovely place to watch the sunset."
"They found a quiet place to sit and talk."
2
A person's position or role, such as in a competition, organization, or in line.
"She finished in third place in the marathon."
"Please keep my place in the queue while I fetch a coffee."
"He took his father's place on the committee last spring."
verb
1
To put something or someone in a particular location.
"Please place your bags in the rack above your seat before sitting down."
"He placed the vase carefully on the shelf."
"She placed a great deal of trust in her new manager."
2
To achieve a certain rank or position in a competition.
"Their horse placed second in the final race."
"She placed first in the school's spelling competition."
"Our team placed among the top five in the quiz."
How to use place
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA location or spot — or, as a verb, to put something somewhere or to finish at a certain rank.
Common pairings
take place
in place of
place an order
take first place
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Word forms
- Plural
- places
- Third person singular
- places
- Past tense
- placed, yplaced
- Archaic forms
- placest, placedst, placeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Is there a _____ near here where we can buy fresh bread?
Etymology
From Latin platea, "broad street, plaza," via Old French place — the same root gives us "plaza" and "piazza" in other languages.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for place
See all rhymes for place →Frequently asked questions
What does “place” mean?
The word “place” means a particular area, location, or spot. In plain terms, a location or spot — or, as a verb, to put something somewhere or to finish at a certain rank.
How do you pronounce “place”?
“Place” is pronounced PLAYS (/ˈpleɪ̯s/ in IPA).
How do you use “place” in a sentence?
Here is “place” used in a sentence: “This is a lovely place to watch the sunset.”
What is another word for “place”?
Words with a similar meaning to “place” include location, position, situation, stead, stell and spot.
What part of speech is “place”?
Depending on how it is used, “place” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “place” come from?
The word “place” comes from Latin. From Latin platea, "broad street, plaza," via Old French place — the same root gives us "plaza" and "piazza" in other languages.
Is “place” a common word?
“Place” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “place” have?
“Place” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular area, location, or spot.
What is the difference between 'place' and 'location'?
The words overlap, but "location" is more precise and technical, an exact point that can be pinned on a map, often used in business or geography. "Place" is warmer and broader, carrying a sense of character or meaning, as in "a special place." Location is where; place is where plus feeling.
What is the difference between 'place' and 'space'?
Space is open, general area or emptiness, room to move or fill. A place is a specific, defined part of that space with an identity or purpose, like a seat, a town, or a landmark. In short, space is abstract and unbounded, while a place is particular and located.
Can 'place' be used as a verb?
Yes. As a verb, "place" means to put something carefully in a particular position, as in "place the cup on the table." It can also mean to rank or identify; "I can't place his face" means you cannot recall where you know someone from. The noun and verb are closely related.
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