playpen
[
pley
-pen]
/ˈpleɪˌpɛn/
noun
1.
a small enclosure, usually portable, in which a young child can
play
safely alone without constant supervision.
2.
playground
(defs 2, 3).
Origin
1930-35;
play
+
pen
2
Examples from the web for
playpen
The regional boards overseeing the river levees, once a patronage
playpen
, have been restructured and professionalised.
The tribunal seemed little more than a
playpen
for lawyers.
The size of a coffee mug, the cylindrical robot slides across a round meter-sized
playpen
on an apparently chaotic path.
It would be a touch silly to suggest putting such people in the equivalent of a large
playpen
.
Guests can borrow a crib,
playpen
, booster seat or high chair during their stay.
We have some new office equipment: a
playpen
and a changing table.
Champions wear their crown only if they defend the turf in their own
playpen
.
Toddlers should be kept away from the kitchen with a safety gate, or placed in a
playpen
or high chair.
If you have a
playpen
made by one of the companies out of business, the
playpen
should be discarded or destroyed.
These enclosures serve a purpose similar to a
playpen
.
British Dictionary definitions for
playpen
playpen
/
ˈpleɪˌpɛn
/
noun
1.
a small enclosure, usually portable, in which a young child can be left to play in safety
playpen
in Technology
(IBM) A room where programmers work.
Compare
salt mines
.
[
Jargon File
]