1 a person who takes part in a game or sport:
a tennis / rugby / chess player * a game for four players * a midfield player * We've lost two key players through injury.
2 (written) a company or person involved in a particular area of business or politics:
The company has emerged as a major player in the London property market.
3 (in compounds) a machine for reproducing sound or pictures that have been recorded on cassettes, discs, etc:
a CD / cassette / record player
4 (usually in compounds) a person who plays a musical instrument:
a trumpet player
5 (old-fashioned) (especially in names) an actor:
Phoenix Players present 'Juno and the Paycock'.
