play

Play is an activity undertaken for enjoyment, recreation, or entertainment, often voluntary and self-motivated. The term covers a wide range of behaviors and artifacts, from children’s make-believe and athletic games to theatrical performances and contemporary digital games. As a verb, to play can also mean to perform music, operate a device, or act in a role.

In developmental psychology and education, play is seen as a fundamental process through which children learn motor, cognitive, linguistic, and social skills. Play can be free and spontaneous, guided by adults, or governed by rules (as in games). In many species, especially juveniles, play behavior supports motor coordination, social bonding, and practice for adulthood.

Types of play include pretend or imaginative play (role-taking and scenario creation), physical play (movement and rough-and-tumble activity), games with rules (board games, tag, sports), and digital play (video and computer games). In culture, the word also refers to dramatic works intended for performance.

The theatre uses the word play to denote a scripted work performed on stage, typically authored by a playwright and presented to an audience. Plays range across genres and historical periods, from comedy to tragedy, and often engage with social and political themes. The concept of play thus spans personal leisure, learning, culture, and art.