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
Upon arrival, visitors are welcome to explore its sprawling woodlands, with vast forests of beech and fir playing host to a wealth of native Italian fauna.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The Capitals, whose home arena played host to the event, wore helmet decals in their game Saturday in support of the figure skating community and all those affected by the tragedy.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
New Orleans played host to the Super Bowl for the 11th time in the city’s history, and on Friday, it was announced as the host of one of the biggest pro wrestling events in the world.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
San Clemente plays host to JSerra in the second round Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for play host to
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
The Capitals, whose home arena played host to the event, wore helmet decals in their game Saturday in support of the figure skating community and all those affected by the tragedy.
—Kevin Dotson, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025
New Orleans played host to the Super Bowl for the 11th time in the city’s history, and on Friday, it was announced as the host of one of the biggest pro wrestling events in the world.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 24 Feb. 2025
San Clemente plays host to JSerra in the second round Saturday.
—Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2025
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 9 Mar. 2025.
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