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
And just as the Dodgers finally completed their blockbuster move for Betts, Moreno reportedly called off the Pederson/Stripling/Pages agreement, later confirming that, while there were other unspecified factors at play, the five-day delay had gnawed at his patience.
—
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
While numerous factors — many of them outside the control of physicians — are at play in diagnostic errors, human cognition plays a major role.
—Adam Rodman, STAT, 3 May 2024
And so all of those things were at play in creating the band.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
And of course, there’s a larger story of generational inequity at play.
—Bychloe Berger, Fortune, 2 May 2024
There are other legal issues and questions at play in the case.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr. 2024
Other factors at play include more expensive medications and technologically advanced diagnostic tests, along with increasing corporate consolidation and the growing presence in the industry of private equity firms.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
But that does not mean there was not a quid pro quo at play, too.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
That isn’t to say there aren’t other factors at play; Austin, for instance, has its own set of weaknesses.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
While numerous factors — many of them outside the control of physicians — are at play in diagnostic errors, human cognition plays a major role.
—Adam Rodman, STAT, 3 May 2024
And so all of those things were at play in creating the band.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024
And of course, there’s a larger story of generational inequity at play.
—Bychloe Berger, Fortune, 2 May 2024
There are other legal issues and questions at play in the case.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Apr. 2024
Other factors at play include more expensive medications and technologically advanced diagnostic tests, along with increasing corporate consolidation and the growing presence in the industry of private equity firms.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
But that does not mean there was not a quid pro quo at play, too.
—Rory Smith, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024
That isn’t to say there aren’t other factors at play; Austin, for instance, has its own set of weaknesses.
—Byalena Botros, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'at play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 9 May. 2024.
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