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gameplay

American  
[geym-pley] / ˈgeɪmˌpleɪ /

noun

  1. the interactive content and player experiences in a game, especially a video game.

    The reviews are saying that the gameplay is solid, but the art—especially in the cinematics—is unforgivably bad.

  2. the activity or manner of playing a game.

    The retired chess grandmaster recently published a book with analyses of famous historical games for players looking to perfect their gameplay.


gameplay British  
/ ˈɡeɪmˌpleɪ /

noun

  1. the plot of a computer or video game or the way that it is played

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gameplay

First recorded in 1990–95; game 1 ( def. ) + play ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Volatility Shares stressed that the new ETFs would not be investing in prediction markets and that index valuations would be based solely on statistical factors derived from gameplay.

From MarketWatch Aug. 18, 2026

GTA fans are still eagerly anticipating a new gameplay trailer for the sixth game of the franchise, after previous reveals in 2023, external and 2025, external.

From BBC Jun. 18, 2026

Likewise, for gamers, a VPN can help reduce lag by connecting to servers in other regions, resulting in smoother gameplay.

From Salon Jun. 10, 2026

“We have clear policies prohibiting both actual and simulated gambling, and a set of rules governing how game creators can use gameplay mechanics like paid random items,” the Roblox spokesperson said.

From Los Angeles Times May 21, 2026

After that comes gameplay footage—two teams battling it out in Warcross’s endless virtual worlds.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

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