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Definition of playpen

playpen

/ˈpleɪˌpɛn/
play · pen
Plural:playpens
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playpen Lexical Profile

playpen Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small, usually portable enclosure designed to provide a safe space for an infant or young child to play or rest.

Example

"The parents set up a playpen in the living room so the baby could play safely while they prepared dinner."

2

A situation or environment that provides a safe, isolated space for unrestricted experimentation.

Example

"The new research lab was designed as a creative playpen for software developers to test their ideas without affecting the main system."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for playpen

• Nearby Words

platyhelminth
platypus
platystemon
playpen
pleco
plecostomus
plectranthus

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'play' and 'pen' (meaning enclosure), first recorded in English in the early 20th century to describe safe enclosures for infants.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Playpen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/playpen
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