Place
/pleɪs/
Definitions
5 meaningsA particular position, point, or area in space; a location.
/pleɪs/
A particular portion of space
This is the perfect place for a picnic.
💡 Simply: A 'place' is like your favorite spot! Maybe it's your comfy couch, your school, or the park where you play. It's where you can find something or do something. Like, 'My place to read is under a tree in the garden.'
👶 For kids: A place is a spot or location. Like your house is a place to live!
More Examples
We found a quiet place to sit and talk.
The meeting will take place in the conference room.
How It's Used
"This is my favorite place to relax."
"The city is a beautiful place to visit."
A particular position in a sequence, series, or rank.
/pleɪs/
A specific position in a list or sequence.
He finished in third place.
💡 Simply: Imagine a race! The 'place' is the order you finish. If you are in first place, you win! If you're in second place, you're the runner-up. 'She came in first place in the spelling bee!'
👶 For kids: A place can also mean how good you are at something. If you win, you are in first place!
More Examples
She secured a place on the team.
The book occupied a place on the shelf.
How It's Used
"She won second place in the race."
"He earned a high place in the class ranking."
Put in a particular position or location.
/pleɪs/
Put something in a particular position.
Please place the groceries on the counter.
💡 Simply: To 'place' something means to put it somewhere. Like, 'Please place the books on the shelf.'
👶 For kids: To place means to put something somewhere!
More Examples
She placed her trust in him.
They placed an order at the restaurant.
How It's Used
"She carefully placed the vase on the table."
"They will place the foundation next week."
To identify or recognize something or someone.
/pleɪs/
Identify the location of something or someone.
She couldn't place his name.
💡 Simply: To 'place' someone or something means to remember who they are or where you've seen them. Like when you meet someone and they look familiar, but you can't quite place them!
👶 For kids: Sometimes 'place' means you remember something.
More Examples
The security footage helped place the car at the scene.
I tried to place where I knew her from.
How It's Used
"The detective tried to place the suspect at the scene."
"I can't quite place where I've seen him before."
To find a suitable role or position for someone or something, often in the context of employment or assignment.
/pleɪs/
To find employment for someone or something.
The recruiter was able to place the candidate in a great company.
💡 Simply: To 'place' someone in a job or position means to help them get hired! Like a company that helps people find jobs, they're 'placing' them in the workplace.
👶 For kids: Sometimes 'place' means to find a job for someone.
More Examples
We're trying to place the students in summer internships.
The agency helped place the advertisement in several publications.
How It's Used
"The agency placed several candidates in new roles."
"The company specializes in placing graduates."
Synonyms
Area
Location
Order
Arrange
Locate
Identify
Assign
Employ
Idioms & expressions
in place
Ready, available, and in the correct position.
"The emergency plan is already in place."
take place
To happen or occur.
"The meeting will take place tomorrow."
in the first place
At the beginning; to start with; especially when contrasting earlier arguments with later ones.
"You shouldn't have done that in the first place."
From Old French *place* ('place, spot'), from Latin *platea* ('broad street, court, open space'), from Greek *plateia (hodos)* ('broad (road)').
The word 'place' has been used since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin and Old French roots to encompass a broad range of meanings related to location, position, and status.
Memory tip
Imagine a landmark; a place is where that landmark is located.