playground

American  

[pley-ground] / ˈpleɪˌgraʊnd /

noun

1. an area used for outdoor play or recreation, especially by children, and often containing recreational equipment such as slides and swings.

2. Informal. any place, environment, or facility used for recreation or amusement, as a resort.

   The tropical island is an international playground for the rich.

3. an arena of operation or activity.

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playground British  

/ ˈpleɪˌɡraʊnd /

noun

1. an outdoor area for children's play, esp one having swings, slides, etc, or adjoining a school

2. a place or region particularly popular as a sports or holiday resort

3. a sphere of activity

   reading was his private playground

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Etymology

Origin of playground

First recorded in 1770–80; play + ground ¹

Example Sentences

Positioned between the Airport Park playground and dog park, it combines running water, ceramic vessels, incense and sound.

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re interested in space travel, then you should definitely visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center, which is the ultimate cosmic playground.

From Los Angeles Times

Her classroom was in a separate building from the main school and, through the windows, she saw a playground wall had collapsed so she instinctively gathered her pupils and led them out.

From BBC

"Staff are routinely asked to supervise playgrounds of over 300 pupils, with no time to implement individual support plans or interventions," she says.

From BBC

A sports court, playground, and dozens of lush trees are also depicted on the parcel.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• park