play host to
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
There’s no guarantee Lawrence will ever play host to a foreign national soccer team’s World Cup base camp again.
—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
The LoC also plays host to Carl Sagan’s old whiteboard, a 160-year-old wedding cake, and at least one packet of cocaine.
—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, is playing host to thousands of visitors and a number of events as the country celebrates 250 years over the Fourth of July weekend.
—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The Current, which is playing host to the Netherlands' team during the World Cup, sent staff to help at the camp where Garbowski was working.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for play host to
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Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
3 July 2026
The LoC also plays host to Carl Sagan’s old whiteboard, a 160-year-old wedding cake, and at least one packet of cocaine.
—
Popular Science Team,
Popular Science,
1 July 2026
Philadelphia, the birthplace of America, is playing host to thousands of visitors and a number of events as the country celebrates 250 years over the Fourth of July weekend.
—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The Current, which is playing host to the Netherlands' team during the World Cup, sent staff to help at the camp where Garbowski was working.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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 5 Jul. 2026.
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