From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishhave a part to play (in something)have a part to play (in something)to have a particular job or be responsible for something The church used to have a more important part to play in the community. → part
Examples from the Corpus
have a part to play (in something)• Now, many of the other items are also sound and have a part to play but they could be improved upon.• Models can be useful and have a part to play, if built on a sound theoretical basis.• But literacy and the written word do have a part to play.• Now I think that the woman lawyer has been foregrounded as if the law actually does have a part to play.• Look and Say does have a part to play.• However, the latter have a part to play from the period of nursery rhymes and finger and other basic-activity games.• Might farm schools have a part to play?• All of us have a part to play. 