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
In an instant, the carefree exhilaration of children at play can give way to the sombre hush of tragedy.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
To be sure, the CEO can’t take full credit—or blame—for a company’s performance, when many factors are at play.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
On the other hand, it could be argued that there is also somewhat of a turf war at play here.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025
Turning Red America Pink Still, in each of those elections, larger forces were at play.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
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Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025
To be sure, the CEO can’t take full credit—or blame—for a company’s performance, when many factors are at play.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
On the other hand, it could be argued that there is also somewhat of a turf war at play here.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025
Turning Red America Pink Still, in each of those elections, larger forces were at play.
—Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 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 24 Nov. 2025.
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