field

¹field

noun \ˈfēld\

Definition of FIELD

1

a (1) : an open land area free of woods and buildings (2) : an area of land marked by the presence of particular objects or features <dune fields> b (1) : an area of cleared enclosed land used for cultivation or pasture <a field of wheat> (2) : land containing a natural resource (3) : airfield c : the place where a battle is fought; also : battle d : a large unbroken expanse (as of ice)

2

a : an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession b : the sphere of practical operation outside a base (as a laboratory, office, or factory) <geologists working in the field> c : an area for military exercises or maneuvers d (1) : an area constructed, equipped, or marked for sports (2) : the portion of an indoor or outdoor sports area enclosed by the running track and on which field events are conducted (3) : any of the three sections of a baseball outfield <hits to all fields>

3

: a space on which something is drawn or projected: as a : the space on the surface of a coin, medal, or seal that does not contain the design b : the ground of each division in a flag c : the whole surface of an escutcheon

4

: the individuals that make up all or part of the participants in a contest; especially : all participants with the exception of the favorite or the winner in a contest where more than two are entered

5

: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument

6

a : a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists b : a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular type of differentiation <a morphogenetic field>

7

: a set of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary operations the second of which is distributive relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative group under the first operation and also under the second if the zero or unit element under the first is omitted

8

: a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior

9

: a series of drain tiles and an absorption area for septic-tank outflow

10

: a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which the same type of information is regularly recorded

— from the field

: in field goals as opposed to free throws <made 40 percent of his shots from the field>

Examples of FIELD

1. He gazed out across the fields.
2. She hopes to find work in the health field.
3. She is a pioneer in the field of genetic research.
4. a lawyer who is eminent in his field
5. working in his chosen field
6. a fascinating field of endeavor

Origin of FIELD

Middle English, from Old English feld; akin to Old High German feld field, Old English flōr floor — more at floor

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FIELD

Synonyms: clearing, ground, lot, parcel, plat, plot, tract

Related Words: common(s), croft [chiefly British]; grass, green, greensward, lawn; glade, grassland, heath, heathland, lea (or ley), meadow, moor, pasture, pastureland

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with FIELD

keeled, shield, weald, wheeled, wield, yield