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
Five different combined wavelengths show the true magnificence and diversity of phenomena at play in the Crab Nebula.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
And determining when someone is dead is the critical but confusing question at play.
—Cara Anthony, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Understand the cognitive influences at play.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Under Menon’s handling of the story, the film will aim to expose the dynamics of class and race at play in an unequal romantic relationship.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
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Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
And determining when someone is dead is the critical but confusing question at play.
—Cara Anthony, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Understand the cognitive influences at play.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Under Menon’s handling of the story, the film will aim to expose the dynamics of class and race at play in an unequal romantic relationship.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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