Toy
A toy is an object used primarily for play, most often by children, though toys are also used by adults and animals.
A toy is an object used primarily for play, most often by children, though toys are also used by adults and animals. They range from simple handmade objects to complex mechanical and electronic devices.
What it is
A toy is generally defined as something intended to be played with, especially by children. Common examples include dolls, balls, blocks, board games, kites, and yo-yos. The category also includes ordinary objects used imaginatively in play.
History and types
Toys have existed since antiquity across many cultures. They can be handmade or mass-produced, made from materials like wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and electronics. Simple objects like sticks and balls coexist with elaborate mechanical devices.
Broader uses
The term 'toy' also applies to items used for amusement by adults, and some toys are made specifically for pets. Additionally, the word can describe something small or trivial, such as toy dog breeds or miniature products.
In short
- A toy is a plaything, usually for children, and may also be an instrument used in a game.
- Toys have existed since the remote past across many cultures.
- The category includes simple objects as well as complex mechanical or electronic devices.
- Toys are used by adults and children, and some are made for pets.
Toys are a major consumer category in Canada, and Canadian readers may also encounter the term in contexts such as toy manufacturing, retail, toy breeds of dogs, and toys used in education and child development.
Quick questions
What is a toy?
Are toys only for children?
How old are toys?
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/technology/toySupports: Definition, history, and examples of toys.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/toySupports: Concise overview of toys, their range, and modern toy industry context.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toySupports: Dictionary definitions and broader senses of the word toy.
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/toySupports: Definition of toy as an object for children to play with and broader adult-use sense.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ToySupports: General overview including use by children, adults, pets, and utilitarian benefits.