The difference between Instrument and Play

When used as nouns, instrument means a device used to produce music, whereas play means activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

When used as verbs, instrument means to apply measuring devices, whereas play means to act in a manner such that one has fun.

check bellow for the other definitions of Instrument and Play

  1. Instrument as a noun:

    A device used to produce music.

    Examples:

    "The violinist was a master of her instrument."

  2. Instrument as a noun:

    A means or agency for achieving an effect.

  3. Instrument as a noun:

    A measuring or displaying device.

    Examples:

    "The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity."

  4. Instrument as a noun:

    A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.

    Examples:

    "The dentist set down his tray of instruments."

    "The scientist recorded the temperature with a thermometer but wished he had a more accurate instrument."

  5. Instrument as a noun (legal):

    A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.

    Examples:

    "A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value."

    "Negotiable instruments are the foundation of the debt markets."

  6. Instrument as a noun (figuratively):

    A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.

  1. Instrument as a verb (transitive):

    To apply measuring devices.

  2. Instrument as a verb (transitive):

    To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.

  3. Instrument as a verb:

    To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.

    Examples:

    "a sonata instrumented for orchestra"

  1. Play as a verb (intransitive):

    To act in a manner such that one has fun; to engage in activities expressly for the purpose of recreation or entertainment.

    Examples:

    "They played long and hard."

  2. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

    To perform in (a sport); to participate in (a game). To compete against, in a game. (in the scoring of games and sports) To be the opposing score to.

    Examples:

    "He plays on three teams.  nowrap Who's playing now?  nowrap play football;  nowrap play sports;  nowrap play games"

    "We're playing one of the top teams in the next round."

    "Look at the score now ... 23 plays 8!"

  3. Play as a verb (intransitive):

    To take part in amorous activity; to make love, fornicate; to have sex.

  4. Play as a verb (transitive):

    To act as the indicated role, especially in a performance.

    Examples:

    "He plays the King, and she's the Queen.  nowrap No part of the brain plays the role of permanent memory."

  5. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

    To produce music or theatre. To produce music. To produce music using a musical instrument. To produce music (or a specified song or musical style) using (a specified musical instrument). To use a device to watch or listen to the indicated recording. To be performed; to be shown. To perform in or at; to give performances in or at. To act or perform (a play).

    Examples:

    "I've practiced the piano off and on, but I still can't play very well."

    "I'll play the piano and you sing.  nowrap Can you play an instrument?  nowrap We especially like to play jazz together.  nowrap Play a song for me.  nowrap Do you know how to play Für Elise?  nowrap My son thinks he can play music."

    "You can play the DVD now."

    "His latest film is playing in the local theatre tomorrow."

    "to play a comedy"

  6. Play as a verb:

    To behave in a particular way. Contrary to fact, to give an appearance of being. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless. To act; to behave; to practice deception. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute.

    Examples:

    "to play tricks"

  7. Play as a verb (transitive, intransitive):

    To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate.

    Examples:

    "The fountain plays."

    "He played the torch beam around the room."

  8. Play as a verb (intransitive):

    To move gaily; to disport.

  9. Play as a verb (transitive):

    To put in action or motion.

    Examples:

    "to play cannon upon a fortification;  nowrap to play a trump in a card game"

  10. Play as a verb (transitive):

    To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

  11. Play as a verb (transitive, colloquial):

    To manipulate, deceive, or swindle someone.

    Examples:

    "You played me!"

  1. Play as a noun (uncountable, formerly, _, countable):

    Activity for amusement only, especially among the young.

    Examples:

    "Children learn through play."

  2. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    Similar activity in young animals, as they explore their environment and learn new skills.

    Examples:

    "This kind of play helps the young lion cubs develop their hunting skills."

  3. Play as a noun (uncountable, ethology):

    "Repeated, incompletely functional behavior differing from more serious versions ..., and initiated voluntarily when ... in a low-stress setting."

  4. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    The conduct, or course, of a game.

    Examples:

    "Play was very slow in the first half."

    "After the rain break, play resumed at 3 o'clock."

  5. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    An individual's performance in a sport or game.

    Examples:

    "His play has improved a lot this season."

  6. Play as a noun (countable):

    A short sequence of action within a game.

    Examples:

    "That was a great play by the Mudchester Rovers forward."

  7. Play as a noun (countable, turn-based games):

    An action carried out when it is one's turn to play.

    Examples:

    "synonyms: move"

  8. Play as a noun (countable):

    A literary composition, intended to be represented by actors impersonating the characters and speaking the dialogue.

    Examples:

    "This book contains all of Shakespeare's plays."

  9. Play as a noun (countable):

    A theatrical performance featuring actors.

    Examples:

    "We saw a two-act play in the theatre."

  10. Play as a noun (countable):

    A major move by a business or investor.

    Examples:

    "ABC Widgets makes a play in the bicycle market with its bid to take over Acme Sprockets."

  11. Play as a noun (countable):

    A geological formation that contains an accumulation or prospect of hydrocarbons or other resources.

  12. Play as a noun (uncountable):

    The extent to which a part of a mechanism can move freely.

    Examples:

    "No wonder the fanbelt is slipping: there’s too much play in it."

    "Too much play in a steering wheel may be dangerous."

  13. Play as a noun (uncountable, informal):

    Sexual activity or sexual role-playing.

  14. Play as a noun (countable):

    A button that, when pressed, causes media to be played.

  15. Play as a noun (archaic, now usually in compounds):

    Activity relating to martial combat or fighting.

    Examples:

    "m handplay, m swordplay"

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