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
But the biggest factor at play, particularly at the nation’s highest court, is the rise in judges who are inclined to agree with the administration’s arguments and approach, Reichel said.
—
Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
An eventual compromise and return to the Warriors also remains very much on the table, league sources said, considering the market dynamics at play.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Policy changes in one company don’t answer the legal questions at play.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Researchers do not fully understand the neural processes at play—that is, how and why a short nap seems to help people solve problems.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sacbee.com, 9 July 2025
An eventual compromise and return to the Warriors also remains very much on the table, league sources said, considering the market dynamics at play.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Policy changes in one company don’t answer the legal questions at play.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Researchers do not fully understand the neural processes at play—that is, how and why a short nap seems to help people solve problems.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 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 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share