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
Tennis saw a similar dynamic at play in October when Iga Świątek, then world No. 1, split with Tomasz Wiktorowski after three glittering years together which delivered four Grand Slam titles.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Italy offers a useful case study of the wider dynamics at play across Europe.
—Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
In Blue Prince, failure feels personal — there’s no obvious outside forces or chance gamble at play that leads to ruin.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
However, the jet instead released more carbon, nitrogen, silicon and sulfur alongside helium, suggesting an unexpected process or interaction at play.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Apr. 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.
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Italy offers a useful case study of the wider dynamics at play across Europe.
—Angelica Krystle Donati, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
In Blue Prince, failure feels personal — there’s no obvious outside forces or chance gamble at play that leads to ruin.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2025
However, the jet instead released more carbon, nitrogen, silicon and sulfur alongside helium, suggesting an unexpected process or interaction at play.
—Victoria Corless, Space.com, 11 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share