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
Advertisement There is truth to each of these narratives, but none of them fully captures all of the factors at play on its own.
—
Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
The causes for societal trends are typically difficult to pinpoint given the myriad factors at play.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, not all gates can accommodate all aircraft, and there are often a lot of logistics at play, especially at the busiest airports.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
The latest research, however, ruled out those scenarios and suggested that a different dynamic was at play.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
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Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
The causes for societal trends are typically difficult to pinpoint given the myriad factors at play.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Additionally, not all gates can accommodate all aircraft, and there are often a lot of logistics at play, especially at the busiest airports.
—Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
The latest research, however, ruled out those scenarios and suggested that a different dynamic was at play.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
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 4 Mar. 2026.
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