Meaning: Action for diversion, amusement, or recreation.
Altering an unspecified object:
I play tic-tac-toe.
Janice plays a board game.
Martin plays.
Understood reciprocal object alternation:
Intransitive
I play with you.
We play together.
Philip plays with Bart.
Transitive
I play checkers with you.
We play games together.
Philip plays soccer with Bart.
Benefactive alternation, performance:
I play music for my child.
She plays soccer for her fans.