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

In contemporary African literature, these spirit worlds influence how writers explore memory, identity, history, violence, belonging, and the unseen forces at play. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

Eyes and energy will begin shifting to initial results out of Iowa, Kansas, Michigan and Texas, where competitive senate races are at play that could decide control of the chamber. — Maham Javaid, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

But no matter how talented a host is, there are always other factors at play. — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2026

There is a larger cycle at play than a team in need of giving its kicker a, well, kick in the rear-end signing some competition. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for at play

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