Definition of: place

(plās) noun
1. A particular point or portion of space, especially that part of space occupied by or belonging to a thing under consideration; a definite locality or location.
2. An occupied situation or building; space regarded as abode or quarters; an estate, town, military post, etc.
3. An open space or square in a city; also, a court or street.
4. Position in relative order; hence, station in life; degree; rank.
5. An office, appointment, or employment; also, rank, position, or station.
6. Room for occupation; hence, reception; welcome; lodgment; seat.
7. Room; stead; hence, precedence: One thing gives place to another.
8. A particular passage, as in a book; a text; a topic.
9. The second position among the first three competitors in a horse race.
10. The position of a figure in relation to the other figures of a given arithmetical series or group.
—in place
1. In its natural position; also, in a suitable place, situation, job, etc.
2. In situ.
—in place of In substitution or exchange for; instead of.
—out of place Removed from or not situated in the natural or appropriate place, order, or relation; unsuitable; inappropriate; ill–timed.
—to go places Slang To rise to success.
—to take place To happen; occur.
—v. placed, plac·ing v.t.
1. To put in a particular place or position.
2. To put or arrange in a particular relation or sequence.
3. To find a place, situation, home, etc., for.
4. To appoint to a post or office.
5. To identify; classify: Historians place him in the time of Nero.
6. To arrange for the satisfaction, handling, or disposition of: to place an order for a garbage truck.
7. To bestow or entrust: I place my life in your hands.
8. To invest, as funds.
9. To emphasize or resonate tones of (the voice) consciously, as in singing or speaking.
—v.i.
10. In racing, to finish among the first three contestants; especially, to finish second. See synonyms under PUT, SET. ♦ Homophone: plaice. [<OF, ult. <L platea a wide street <Gk. plateia (hodos) <platys wide. Doublet of PIAZZA, PLAZA.] Synonyms (noun): locality, location, part, position, post, room, site, situation, space, spot, station. See SCENE.