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playpen

American  
[pley-pen] / ˈpleɪˌpɛn /

noun

  1. a small enclosure, usually portable, in which a young child can play safely alone without constant supervision.

  2. playground.


playpen British  
/ ˈpleɪˌpɛn /

noun

  1. a small enclosure, usually portable, in which a young child can be left to play in safety

"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 playpen

First recorded in 1930–35; play + pen 2

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.

The hangout chair is part of a modular system with a floating bar, hammocks, tubes, and loungers that can be connected to create an in-water playpen.

From Salon

You have to let the audience know, hopefully in the first act, what the parameters of the playpen are going to be.

From Los Angeles Times

Georgia Gardner and her boyfriend, Joshua Fishlock, had momentarily left Valerie in a playpen at their campsite while the couple went fishing.

From BBC

In neighbouring Bangladesh, where drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one-four, wooden playpens were introduced in courtyards to keep children safe.

From BBC

Berkowitz lifted a duckling up from a playpen that was repurposed into a duck nursery.

From Los Angeles Times