playground

noun

play·​ground ˈplā-ˌgrau̇nd How to pronounce playground (audio)
Synonyms of playgroundnext
1
: a piece of land used for and usually equipped with facilities for recreation especially by children
2
: an area known or suited for activity of a specified sort
a vacation playground

Examples of playground in a Sentence

The island was a playground of the rich and famous until the 1950s. These mountains are a playground for hikers, skiers, and nature lovers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The wider Pointe des Arts development covers more than 13 acres and is turning this end of Île Seguin into something approaching a cultural playground. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026 Westlock’s share consists of six three-story buildings with a fitness center, pool, playground and parking for 369 cars. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026 That money could be used on to improve a wide range of parks facilities, such as athletic fields, parks, playgrounds, greenways or other open spaces. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 Cooked, though, is like a film about said playground, each shot carefully captured and then edited into a strange and multivalent whole that could take a lifetime to parse. — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for playground

Word History

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of playground was in 1768

Phrases Containing playground

Rhymes for playground

See All Rhymes for playground

Browse Nearby Words

playgoer
playground
playground ball
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playground. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

playground

noun
play·​ground ˈplā-ˌgrau̇nd How to pronounce playground (audio)
: a piece of land used for games and recreation especially by children

More from Merriam-Webster on playground

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for playground

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about playground

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