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place

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verb [transitive] British English pronunciation: place /pleɪs/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyplace
he/she/itplaces
present participleplacing
past tenseplaced
past participleplaced
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    to put something somewhere, especially in a careful or deliberate way
    place something on/under/into etc something:

    Ella placed the dish on the table.

    'Don't worry,' said Judy, placing a hand on his shoulder.

    Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, and gradually add water.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  2. 2
    to put someone in a particular situation or state, especially a difficult or unpleasant one
    place someone in/at/under something:

    Her decision places me in an awkward situation.

    The high level of the pound is placing exporters at a serious disadvantage.

    place someone/something under strain/pressure:

    The company is severely understaffed, which places employees under great pressure.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
    1. a.
      to put a person or place under someone else's control or protection
      place someone/something under something:

      At the end of the war, the island was placed under French control.

      We place each trainee under the care and supervision of an experienced member of staff.

      Monga had his passport withdrawn, and was placed under house arrest.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  3. 3
    if you place limits, responsibilities, pressures etc on someone, you make them experience them
    place limits/restrictions on:

    Parents should place limits on the amount of time their children spend on the Internet.

    place burdens/strain/pressure on:

    The large influx of refugees was placing a great burden on Pakistan's resources.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  4. 4
    to have a particular attitude towards someone or something
    place blame/faith/hope/reliance etc on:

    She placed the blame squarely on George.

    He placed great faith in her abilities.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  5. 5
    to decide how good or important something is in comparison with other things
    place something above something:

    The company was accused of placing profits above safety.

    place emphasis/importance/value on something:

    The school places great emphasis on the welfare of its students.

    Customers were placing more importance on quality than simply on cost.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  6. 6
    to arrange for someone to work or live somewhere

    He had to place his mother in a nursing home.

    The employment agency placed me with a local law firm.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  7. 7
    [always passive] British to finish second or third in a race, especially in a horse race
    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
    1. a.
      [intransitive] mainly American to finish a competition in a particular position
      place first/third etc:

      The 23-year-old from Idaho placed first in the downhill race.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  8. 8
    [usually in negatives] to recognize someone or something and remember their name

    He looks familiar, but I can't place him.

    I could hear music in the background, but the tune was difficult to place.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place
  11. 11
    if you place an order, you ask a company to sell you something and send it to you

    Orders may be placed by telephone or on the Internet.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of place

phrases

This is the British English definition of place. View American English definition of place.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for place.

 

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