Word
playground
Phoneticsplay·ground, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɫeɪˌɡɹaʊn/
UK/plˈeɪɡɹaʊnd/
Definitions
01children's play area
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. an outdoor area where children can play, often with equipment like swings and slides.
n. an outdoor area designated for children's recreation, typically equipped with structures such as slides, swings, and climbing frames.
“The children ran straight to the playground to play on the swings after school.”
“The local council invested in a modern playground featuring rubberised safety flooring and inclusive equipment for children of all abilities.”
Synonyms
02place for free activity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a place or situation where people can do what they want and have fun.
n. a metaphorical space or region where a particular group has the freedom to act or enjoy themselves without restriction.
“The tropical island has become a playground for wealthy tourists.”
“During the tech boom, the city served as a playground for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to disrupt traditional industries.”
Teaching tip
Often used with a possessive, such as 'a playground for the rich'.
03coding environment
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a safe digital space where you can write and test code without breaking anything.
n. a development environment or sandbox that allows programmers to execute code and test API calls in isolation.
“I used the online playground to practice my JavaScript before adding it to my website.”
“The platform provides a dedicated playground where developers can experiment with new API endpoints before deploying their applications to production.”
Usage
Often used in the context of web development or learning a new programming language.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From play + ground. Compare Middle English playstede (“playground”) from Old English pleġstede.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/playground