Definition

Noun: A piece of playground equipment consisting of a smooth, sloping surface (a chute or slide) that children use to glide down, typically from a raised platform.

Usage

This term refers specifically to the common piece of fixed playground equipment. It is a compound noun where "playground" specifies the location and "slide" specifies the type of equipment.

Examples

• The children lined up to go down the playground slide.
• The new park has a very tall and winding playground slide.
• Safety surfacing is important at the bottom of a playground slide.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe something that is smooth, fast, and perhaps uncontrollable, though this is less common.
  • The new policy turned the bureaucratic process into a playground slide for approvals.

Variants and Related Words

• Slide (noun): The more common and general term for this equipment. "Playground slide" is often shortened to just "slide" when the context is clear.
  • She went down the slide ten times.
• Sliding board (noun): A less common synonym for a playground slide.
• Chute (noun): A general term for a sloping channel or passage, which describes the main component of a slide.

Synonyms

• Slide
• Sliding board
• (Playground) chute

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym, but contrasting playground equipment could include climbing frame or swing set.

Related Phrases

• Go down the slide: The standard phrase for using the equipment.
  • The toddler learned to go down the slide by herself.
• Slide ladder: The attached ladder or steps used to climb to the top of the slide.

Noun

1. plaything consisting of a sloping chute down which children can slide