From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishplay a part/roleplay a part/roleEFFECT/INFLUENCEto have an effect or influence on somethingplay a part/role in A good diet and fitness play a large part in helping people live longer. → play
Examples from the Corpus
play a part/role• Although the budget committees guide Congress's actions on spending, every committee plays a role.• The researchers said more investigation was needed into whether vaccinations or pesticides played a part.• But big-city gangsters also play a part.• Our goal is to make sure everyone plays a part and shares in the credit.• Sure, the Pentium chip plays a part, but other components provide the big difference.• Therefore, both over-confidence and under-confidence may play a part in creating an environment in which accidents happen more readily.• The New Man rejects traditional roles of parenthood and likes to play a part in decision-making.• Schneider played a key role in getting the organization started.• By speaking out about envy between women, comedy can play a part in helping us to heal it in ourselves.• He was six now and understood that I had played a role in his parents separation.• Together with the police everyone can play a part in improving the security of their neighborhood.• Luck has to play a part in it.• Men now play a larger part in looking after their children.• Hart clearly played a role in the decision to change admission standards.• The Secretary of State played a leading role in the government's successful foreign policy.• The most effective learning occurs when the child is allowed to play a more active role in the learning process. 