Place is a term that has a variety of meanings in a dictionary sense, but which is principally used as a noun to denote location, though in a sense of a location identified with that which is located there. For instance, much has been written about the "sense of place", a well-known phenomenon in human society in which people strongly identify with a particular geographical area or location. Another instance of its use is as an identifier of a location that is noted for a particular characteristic, such as Stonehenge defining its location as a unique place. It may refer to something as macroscopic as, say, New York City, or something as specific as a spot on a shelf. However, in most Wikipedia articles that use it as a link, it is referring to location in a geographic, and not a specific placement, sense.

An important part of the concept of place is the sociological implication. Place, for a person, may indicate not only location, but position in society, relative wealth, status, and so forth.

Place may also refer to an individual's or family's relative status and relationship as compared to other individuals, groups, or families.

Elements that turn space into a place are memories, feelings, social connections and the presence of others, cultural rules and conventions.

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In city planning, a place is a generic used to designate a public square or small park; see also the cognate terms plaza and piazza. In English-speaking countries, the name may also be used as the generic for a street.