play host to
idiomatic phrase
: to serve as a host for (someone or something)
Each year, the city plays host to the film festival for one week.
As travel to the Third World has expanded, so, too, has concern about the damage wrought by mass tourism on the people and places that play host to wandering North Americans and Europeans.—
Ira Silver
Ira SilverSt. John's meets No. 3-ranked Duke and the Big East rival Miami on the road, and will play host to No. 4 Syracuse, No. 13 Connecticut and surging Seton Hall at the Garden.—Jon Drape
Jon DrapeThe grasslands play host to [=provide a home for] long-billed curlews and sage grouse, and eagles, osprey and coyotes scavenge the area.—Kay Clark
Kay ClarkExamples of play host to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Argentinian countryside plays host to life on the road for an unusual trio during a period of economic downturn.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
Across the pond, London played host to the 2025 BAFTA Awards, where Black talent made waves at the ceremony and afterparties, with appearances from actors like Zoe Saldana and Jharrel Jerome.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025
Visit Downtown In the summer, the city plays host to numerous art festivals and a farmers’ market where visitors can enjoy the community atmosphere while shopping for treasures.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025
The Ritz Theater, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, plays host to the festival.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
Across the pond, London played host to the 2025 BAFTA Awards, where Black talent made waves at the ceremony and afterparties, with appearances from actors like Zoe Saldana and Jharrel Jerome.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 17 Feb. 2025
Visit Downtown In the summer, the city plays host to numerous art festivals and a farmers’ market where visitors can enjoy the community atmosphere while shopping for treasures.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025
The Ritz Theater, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, plays host to the festival.
—Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for play host to
Dictionary Entries Near play host to
Cite this Entry
“Play host to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20host%20to. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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