at play
idiom
1
: in the act of playing
the sounds of children at play
2
: being something that helps produce or influence a result
Several issues are at play in determining the price of gasoline.
Examples of at play in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alternatively, store leases might be hard (and costly) to break, or maybe another real estate issue at play, Saunders said.
—
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
While Davis showed them the technical aspects of the game, a deeper meaning was at play.
—Sophia Leone, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Like much of his second chapter in the White House, much more strategy is at play.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Nov. 2025
Being able to observe these phenomena allows scientists to understand the magnetic dynamics at play in the sun's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
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Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 28 Nov. 2025
While Davis showed them the technical aspects of the game, a deeper meaning was at play.
—Sophia Leone, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Like much of his second chapter in the White House, much more strategy is at play.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Nov. 2025
Being able to observe these phenomena allows scientists to understand the magnetic dynamics at play in the sun's atmosphere.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
Cite this Entry
“At play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20play. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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