brownfield

noun

brown·​field ˈbrau̇n-ˌfēld How to pronounce brownfield (audio)
often attributive
: a tract of land that has been developed for industrial purposes, polluted, and then abandoned

Examples of brownfield in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The developer is also seeking at least $250 million in public support, including $75 million already approved by the Downtown Development Authority, along with further funding through Michigan’s transformational brownfield program. The Detroit News, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 In December, Chaplin received a $50,000 state brownfields clean-up grant to pay for an environmental study to get the property back in use. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026 Taken out of service in the 1950s, it was partially demolished and fell into disrepair, later becoming a brownfield and Superfund site, contaminated with toxic chemicals. Elyssa Goodman, Them., 23 Dec. 2025 The initiative will find land for energy projects, prioritizing brownfields and industrial zones over green spaces. Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brownfield

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brownfield was in 1977

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brownfield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brownfield. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

brownfield

noun
brown·​field ˈbrau̇n-ˌfēld How to pronounce brownfield (audio)
: a tract of land that has been developed for industrial purposes, polluted, and then abandoned
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!