Place Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

The Britannica Dictionary mobile search

• Home
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Quizzes
• Core Vocabulary
• Browse the Dictionary

×

• Britannica Homepage
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Quizzes
• Core Vocabulary
• Browse the Dictionary

The Britannica Dictionary place 20 ENTRIES FOUND:

• place (noun)
• place (verb)
• place mat (noun)
• place name (noun)
• place setting (noun)
• hiding place (noun)
• polling place (noun)
• resting place (noun)
• well–placed (adjective)
• fall (verb)
• first (adjective)
• friend (noun)
• give (verb)
• hair (noun)
• hard (adjective)
• lightning (noun)
• pride (noun)
• rock (noun)
• strike (verb)
• sun (noun)

1 place /ˈpleɪs/ noun plural places 1 place /ˈpleɪs/ noun plural places Britannica Dictionary definition of PLACE 1 [count] : a specific area or region of the world : a particular city, country, etc.

• Please state your place of birth and your current place of residence. [=where you were born and where you live now]
• New York City is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
• I've heard it's a good place to raise children.
• places like Africa and South America
• traveling to distant/exotic/faraway/remote places
• the hottest place on earth

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [count] : a building or area that is used for a particular purpose

• churches and other places of worship
• a place of learning/business
• You should plan to meet him in a public place.
• a local gathering/meeting place
• Muslim holy places
• ancient burial places
• We had dinner at a great little Italian place [=restaurant] downtown.
• He tried several places [=stores], but no one sold the ingredients he needed.
• You've come to the right place. I have just what you need.
• This bar is the place to be [=it is where many people go and where exciting things happen] on Saturday nights.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [count] a : a building, part of a building, or area that is used for shelter

• They gave him a place to stay for the night.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : a house, apartment, etc., where a person lives : home

• We're going to need a bigger place once the baby is born.
• He's looking to buy a place in the country.
• Shall we go to my place or yours?
• our summer place

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [count] : a particular space or area

• This looks like a good place [=location, spot] to stop and rest.
• It's nice to have the whole family together in one place.
• Keep your jewelry and other valuables in a safe place.
• The map is torn in (some) places. [=some parts of the map are torn]
• The bone in her leg broke in two places.
• Try looking for the phrase in another place in the dictionary.
• A person can only be in one place at one time.
• The guards/chairs were not in their proper places.
• Wires carry the information from place to place. = They carry it from one place to another.
• Success is sometimes just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
• You were just unlucky; you happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — sometimes used figuratively

• She keeps a special place in her heart for mistreated animals.
• When I left the army, I was in a very strange place mentally. [=I was in a very strange mental state]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — see also hiding place, resting place 5 [count] : a particular point that you reach in a discussion, book, etc. — usually singular

• This seems like a good place to end our discussion for today.
• He used the receipt to keep/mark his place in the book he was reading.
• She dropped the magazine on the floor and lost her place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 [count] : an available seat, space, or amount of room

• There's no place to sit down.
• I found a place to put my things.
• They didn't have a good place for the painting in their apartment.
• If you get to the theater before me, could you save me a place?
• “Excuse me, is this place taken?” “Yes, I'm saving it for my friend.”
• She said she couldn't see the stage and asked if he would change/trade/swap/switch places with her.
• During the ceremony, he was given a place of honor [=a seat for someone who is being honored] next to the president's wife.
• We'll have to make a place [=make a space available; make room] for our guests.
• We made a place for you at the dinner table.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 7 [count] : a particular position in a line especially of people or vehicles

• I had to use the bathroom, but I didn't want to lose my place in line.
• Would you save/hold our places (in line), please?

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 8 [count] : a particular position during or at the end of a race or competition — usually singular

• The runner from the U.S. is currently in third place.
• Their horse finished in last place.
• The two teams are tied for second place.
• “Who took first place?” “First place went to the red team.”

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 9 [count] a : a position in a group, course, organization, school, etc.

• They offered her a place [=job] on their staff.
• He started getting bad grades and lost his place on the basketball team. [=he was no longer allowed to be on the team]
• She was guaranteed a place in the college.
• There are two places still open in the course/class.
• He has friends in high places. [=friends who have power and influence]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — often used figuratively

• Her courage during the war earned her a place in history. [=she is remembered as an important person in history because of her courage during the war]
• She has an important place in the community. [=she is an important part of the community]
• He occupies a prominent place among the great musicians of our time.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : the proper position of someone in a group or society

• The queen's servants must know their place and act accordingly. [=they must act like servants]
• It's not my place [=it is not appropriate for me] to punish other people's children.
• It was not his place to make the final decision.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 10 a [singular] : an appropriate situation or setting

• There's a time and a place for everything.
• This is neither the time nor the place to talk about money.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b [count] : a particular situation or set of conditions

• Call me if you ever find yourself in a tight place.
• Anyone in her place [=position] would have done the same thing.
• I love my life and wouldn't change/trade/swap/switch places with anyone in the world!

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 11 [count] mathematics : the position of a digit in a number

• In the number 316, the digit 1 is in the tens place.
• Move the decimal point two places to the right.
• a number with three decimal places [=a number with three digits that follow the decimal point; a number like 2.345 or .678]
• In the number 2.468, the 4 is in the first decimal place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 12 — used in the names of streets

• He lives at 313 Jackson Place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

all over the place

informal 1 : in many different areas or locations : everywhere

• New houses are springing up all over the place in that part of the country.
• The kids left their toys all over the place.
• Bullets were flying all over the place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : not organized in a logical way

• Your essay lacks organization; your ideas are all over the place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

between a rock and a hard place

— see 2rock

fall into place

— see 1fall

give place to (something)

formal : to be replaced by (something)

• Confidence gave place to [=(more commonly) gave way to] fear.
• Further down the street, tall office buildings give place to rows of tidy houses.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

go places

: to become successful

• She has enough ambition to really go places.
• The band is clearly going places.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

keep (someone) in his/her place

: to prevent (someone) from achieving a higher social status

• Such social rules were used to keep women in their place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

in place

1 : in the proper position

• He makes sure that every hair on his head is in place before leaving the house.
• Tape held/kept the photo in place.
• The house's walls are in place, but nothing else has been done.
• With all the performers in place, we were ready to rehearse.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : in the state of being used or active

• The new computer system should be in place by next Monday.
• These changes were already in place when the new president took office.
• Plans are in place for the upcoming hurricane season.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 US : in the same location without moving forward or backward.

• To warm up before swimming practice, we run in place [=(Brit) on the spot] for five minutes.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

in place of (someone or something)

or in someone's or something's place : as a substitute or replacement for someone or something

• Use milk in place of [=instead of] water for creamier hot chocolate.
• In place of butter, olive oil was served with the bread.
• The prince ruled the kingdom in place of his father. = The prince ruled the kingdom in his father's place.
• She couldn't attend the meeting, so she sent her secretary in her place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

in the first place

— used at the end of a sentence to indicate what was true or what should have been done at the beginning of a situation

• We should never have gone there in the first place. [=to begin with]
• I didn't care much for the job in the first place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

in the first/second place

— used when listing the most important parts of something or the most important reasons for something

• I'm not going to tell you because, in the first place, it's none of your business, and in the second place, you would tell everyone else.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

into place

1 : into the proper position

• She lowered her glasses then pushed them back into place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : into the state of being used or active

• The curfew was put into place [=was established] by the town's mayor.
• The plan will be put into place over the course of several months.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

no place for

— used to say that someone or something does not belong in a particular place, situation, etc.

• This party is no place for children. [=children should not be allowed at this party]
• There is no place for racism in our society.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

of all places

— used to say that it is unusual or surprising that something happened in or is true about a particular place

• She met her future husband in a grocery store, of all places.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

out of place

1 : not in the correct location or position

• Nothing in the room was out of place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : not in a typical or appropriate situation or setting

• Their modern style home seems oddly out of place among the town's old farmhouses.
• She wouldn't look out of place on the cover of a fashion magazine.
• I feel a bit out of place [=I feel like I don't belong] with my wife's family.
• The law seems particularly out of place in today's society.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

place in the sun

— see 1sun

pride of place

— see 1pride

put someone in his/her place

◊ Someone who puts you in your place shows you that you are not better than other people and should not be acting in such a confident and proud way.

• He told her to stop talking, but she quickly put him in his place.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

take place

: to happen

• The wedding is set to take place this July.
• Negotiations are now taking place between the two governments.
• He didn't understand what had just taken place.
• Where does the story take place? [=where is the story set?]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

take someone's or something's place

or take the place of (someone or something) : to replace someone or something

• Who will take the king's place when he dies?
• We solved the original problem, but now a new one has taken its place.
• I was too busy to attend the meeting, so I had my secretary take my place.
• Who will take the place of the current pope?
• Televisions began to take the place of radios in most families' homes.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

take your place

1 : to go to the location where you are supposed to sit, stand, etc.

• The goalie took her place on the field.
• The actors take their places on the stage and the curtain rises.
• (chiefly Brit) Ladies and gentlemen, please take your places. [=(US) take your seats] The play is about to begin.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : to be thought of or considered as sharing a particular rank or status with others

• He has taken his place among/alongside/beside/with history's most brutal dictators.
• The film will surely take its place among the greatest films of all time. [=will be recognized as one of the greatest films of all time]
• The hurricane will take its place in history as one of this country's worst natural disasters.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 place /ˈpleɪs/ verb places; placed; placing 2 place /ˈpleɪs/ verb places; placed; placing Britannica Dictionary definition of PLACE 1 [+ object] : to put (something or someone) in a particular place or position

• Please place [=set, lay] the book on my desk.
• She placed [=rested] her hand on his shoulder.
• The box was placed at the center of the room.
• You can really see the similarities when you place the two pictures side by side.
• Her name was placed on the list.
• The husbands and wives were placed in separate groups.
• New flowers had been placed [=positioned] around the edges of the garden.
• They were placed next to each other in line.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 [+ object] : to put (someone or something) in a particular state, condition, or situation

• Working with sick people places him at risk for infection.
• By not accepting the prosecutor's deal, he places his future in the hands of the jury.
• We're placing you under arrest.
• He was released from jail and placed on probation.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [+ object] a — used to say that something is thought of as important, valuable, etc. — + on or upon

• They place great importance on both work and family. [=they believe that both work and family are important]
• She talked about the high value that her parents place on education.
• Some parents place a lot of emphasis on winning, but we just want our children to have fun playing sports.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b — used to say who or what you believe should be trusted, blamed, etc.

• We have no choice but to place our faith in the legal system. [=to trust the legal system]
• Too many children in this country are overweight, and I place most of the blame on a lack of exercise. [=I blame the problem on a lack of exercise]
• Their plan places heavy reliance [=their plan relies heavily] upon cooperation from others.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [+ object] : to cause or require someone or something to deal with (a demand, burden, etc.) — + on or upon

• The growing population is placing increasing demands on our schools. [=it is causing our schools to deal with increasing demands]
• The financial burden of the program is ultimately placed upon the taxpayers. [=the taxpayers have to pay for the program]
• He managed to get a lot done, considering the time constraints that were placed on him.
• restrictions placed upon a person's freedom

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 5 [+ object] a : to perform the actions that are required for (something)

• He placed a collect (phone) call to his wife.
• Place your bets.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b : to give (an order) to someone

• The company placed an order (with the manufacturer) for an additional 100 units.
• “Are you ready to place your order?” asked the waiter.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples c : to cause (something, such as an advertisement) to appear somewhere

• We tried selling our house by placing an ad in the newspaper.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 6 [+ object] : to find an appropriate place for (someone) to live, work, or learn

• The agency helps place unemployed workers.
• The child was removed from the home and placed in the care of relatives.
• The children were placed with a foster family.
• In high school, she was placed in advanced math and science classes.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 7 [+ object] : to show or prove the location of (someone or something) at a particular time

• The evidence places you at the scene of the crime.
• Investigators were able to place him at several of these meetings.
• The company's records place three of their trucks in the area that day.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 8 [+ object] : to remember where you saw (someone or someone's face) in the past

• The man looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him.
• It wasn't until later that I placed her face: she was my ninth grade English teacher, Ms. Lee.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 9 a [no object] US : to end a race or competition in a particular position

• He placed fifth in last year's race.
• The team placed second overall.
• The first three participants to place in each event will receive medals.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b British ◊ Someone who is placed first, second, etc., in a race or competition has finished in that position.

• He was placed fifth in last year's race.
• The team was placed second overall.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 10 [+ object] : to give (someone or something) a particular rank in a series or category

• Tolstoy's War and Peace is often placed [=ranked, rated] among the greatest masterpieces of world literature.
• Among the most serious problems facing the world, global warming is often placed first.
• The administration places [=puts, sets] improving the country's health-care system high on their list of priorities.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR

What are the plural forms of check-in, passerby, and spoonful? See the answer »

QUIZZES Vocabulary Quiz Test your word power Take the Quiz » Name That Thing Take our visual quiz Test Your Knowledge » WORD OF THE DAY

leaf through : to turn the pages of (a book, a magazine, etc.) Learn More »

1. About Us & Legal Info
2. Contact Us
3. Privacy Notice
4. Terms of Use
5. Pronunciation Symbols
6. Help

© 2025 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.