at play

phrase

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

There was an energy at play on this ancient part of the old Lenape footpath. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 25 Sep. 2026

Researchers have hypothesized that quantum effects are at play in a variety of biological phenomena — including the magnetic sense that helps birds navigate and, more speculatively, human consciousness — with varying degrees of empirical support. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026

The Paleolithic cave paintings of Chauvet depict vivid herds of rhinos at rest and at play. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

Too often, environmental advocates insist on the elimination of poaching, logging, and other harmful activities while remaining wholly unfamiliar with the factors at play that lead to predation, neglect, and abuse of nature. — Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for at play

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway