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
Most Adorable Game Do your kiddos love videos of cuddly kittens at play?
—
Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Further investigation is needed to determine whether microbes play a role in cancer development or whether other causes, such as genetics or immunosuppression, are at play, according to the doctor.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, there is also a social game at play here.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s also a philosophical discussion at play here, too.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
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Pamela Brill, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025
Further investigation is needed to determine whether microbes play a role in cancer development or whether other causes, such as genetics or immunosuppression, are at play, according to the doctor.
—Amy McGorry, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, there is also a social game at play here.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
There’s also a philosophical discussion at play here, too.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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