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

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

Postmortem commentaries on the campaign agreed that many factors were at play in Sinclair’s loss — FDR had kept his distance and progressive candidate Raymond Haight siphoned off votes from Sinclair — but Hollywood proudly took credit. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026

This is true in foreign policy and domestic issues alike, but let’s consider this example with foreign interests at play. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Also at play is a step-up in ambition among Catalan films at large and far larger mobility on the part of talent. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for at play

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