Definition

Noun: * The time during which a game, match, or performance is actively happening: This term refers to the specific, continuous duration when the action of a sport, contest, or theatrical piece is officially in progress, as opposed to breaks, intermissions, or stoppages.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Rain stopped period of play in the 4th inning. (The active game time was halted by rain during the fourth inning.)
  • The referee added five minutes of injury time to the period of play. (Extra time was appended to the official duration of the match.)
  • A power outage interrupted the period of play during the second act. (The ongoing performance was disrupted by a loss of electricity.)

Advanced Usage

• "to suspend a period of play": to officially pause or halt the active game time.
  • The officials decided to suspend the period of play due to fog.
• "to resume the period of play": to restart the game after a stoppage.
  • After the injury was treated, the teams resumed the period of play.

Variants and Related Words

• Play (n): A more general term for the activity of playing a game or a theatrical performance. "Period of play" specifies the of this activity.
• Playing period (n): A synonymous phrase with identical meaning.
• Stoppage time / Injury time (n): Specific periods added to the standard period of play in sports like soccer to compensate for time lost.
• Innings (n): A unit of period of play in baseball or cricket.

Synonyms

• Game time: The time during which a game is being played.
• Playing time: The duration of active participation in a game.
• Match time: The official duration of a contest.

Related Phrases

• In play: Describing a ball or situation that is active within the official period of play.
  • The ball is still in play, so keep running!
• Out of play: Describing a ball or situation that is not active within the official period of play.
  • The referee signaled that the ball was out of play.

Related Idioms

• Stop play: To cause an interruption in the period of play.
  • The referee's whistle is used to stop play for a foul.

Noun

1. (in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds
   • rain stopped play in the 4th inning