gameplay

noun

game·​play ˈgām-ˌplā 

variants or game play

plural gameplays or game plays

1

: the characteristic way in which the action of a game (such as a video game) occurs or is experienced

Each game is cleanly done with smooth gameplay and colorful graphics.

—Joe Hindy

Featuring intuitive and addictive gameplay, the game is a lovely distraction from the troubles of the day.

—Amy Davidson

The unique game play led to players adopting all sorts of interesting strategies for getting a high score.

—Jeff Fulton and Steve Fulton

2

: the practice or activity of playing games (such as board games, card games, or video games) : gaming sense 2

Unlike the vast majority of previous studies on the effect of video games on wellbeing, the Oxford team were able to track actual gameplay, rather than relying on self-reported estimates.

—Alex Hern

While not all card shufflers operate more quickly than manual shuffling, in general, a card shuffler speeds up gameplay.

—Allen Foster

… a gaming chair that also massages your back, features an adjustable headrest and has an ergonomic design that allows for hours and hours of game play.

—Heather Quinlan

Examples of gameplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The problem is that no one really asked for this specific story, and not much was added to the gameplay side of things either. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2024

With a simple gameplay system that takes a long time to master, Marvel Snap will keep you hooked to your iPhone. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

There were no Cogs, no Toon Tasks, but the spirit of the original Toontown was there, instantly made recognizable by the gameplay music and sound effects. —J. Clara Chan, WIRED, 24 Dec. 2024

However, some of the actions that grant these crafting resources are not part of the typical gameplay loop of Dota. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2