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
American economy is slowly improving Measuring our country's economic status can be hard because there are many data points at play.
—
Nicole Russell, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Like in China, a mix of social and environmental factors appear to be at play, with the coffins’ conspicuous placement likely carrying a meaning, rather than being purely about disposal.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
De Haan said the same market forces at play now could keep prices under pressure.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Dec. 2025
But there are other, more nuanced factors at play.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for at play
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Nicole Russell, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Like in China, a mix of social and environmental factors appear to be at play, with the coffins’ conspicuous placement likely carrying a meaning, rather than being purely about disposal.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
De Haan said the same market forces at play now could keep prices under pressure.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Dec. 2025
But there are other, more nuanced factors at play.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 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 6 Jan. 2026.
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