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
The proposal requests over $1.1 billion for the LAFD, including $882 million for the operating budget and $244 million for non-departmental requests.
‘Are there politics at play?
—
Dua Anjum, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2025
Campion thinks genetics are at play, noting that Cumberbatch’s parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton, both had long careers on stage and screen.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
Observers also noted contrasts in the reserved expressions of Democratic leaders, sparking curiosity at dynamics at play.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
But others have pointed to the thorny ethical issues at play; for Trump to enrich himself, someone else must pay.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at play 
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Dua Anjum, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2025
Campion thinks genetics are at play, noting that Cumberbatch’s parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton, both had long careers on stage and screen.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
Observers also noted contrasts in the reserved expressions of Democratic leaders, sparking curiosity at dynamics at play.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
But others have pointed to the thorny ethical issues at play; for Trump to enrich himself, someone else must pay.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for at play
Dictionary Entries Near at play
Cite this Entry
“At play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20play. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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