field

noun

Save Word

\ ˈfēld

Definition of field

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(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 oil fields

(3) : airfield

c : the place where a battle is fought also : battle

d : a large unbroken expanse (as of ice)

2a : an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession the field of microbiology

b : the sphere of practical operation outside a base (such 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 a football field

(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: such 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 (see escutcheon sense 1)

4 : the individuals that make up all or part of the participants in a contest The election attracted a large field of candidates. 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

6a : a region or space in which a given effect (such as magnetism) exists a magnetic field a gravitational field

b : a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular type of differentiation (see differentiation sense 3) a morphogenetic field

7 : a set of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary operations the second of which is distributive (see distributive sense 3) relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative (see commutative sense 2) 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

field

adjective

Definition of field (Entry 2 of 3)

: of or relating to a field: such as

a : growing in or inhabiting the fields or open country

b : made, conducted, or used in the field

c : operating or active in the field

field

verb

fielded; fielding; fields

Definition of field (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to catch or pick up (something, such as a batted ball) and usually throw to a teammate Practice fielding ground balls as much as you can. Work on keeping the ball in front of you.— Michael Goldman

b : to take care of or respond to (something, such as a telephone call or a request) She has been fielding offers from potential buyers.

c : to give an impromptu answer or solution to the senator fielded the reporters' questions

2 : to put into the field field an army field a team also : to enter in competition

intransitive verb

: to play as a defensive player stationed in the field

Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing field Learn More About field

Examples of field in a Sentence

Noun He gazed out across the fields. She hopes to find work in the health field. She is a pioneer in the field of genetic research. a lawyer who is eminent in his field working in his chosen field a fascinating field of endeavor Verb The shortstop fielded the ground ball. a shortstop who fields his position flawlessly Last week she fielded two offers on her house. His secretary will field requests for more information. The senator fielded the reporters' questions. They expect to field a strong team this year. the greatest fighting force that any nation has ever fielded See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Over the full 18 innings Sunday, Donaldson and Anderson did not appear together on the field. — Pete Caldera, USA TODAY, 23 May 2022 Those three weren't the only ones not on the field Monday. — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 23 May 2022 That doesn't include platinum seats located in the center sections on the field. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2022 Attracting a National Football League team could be a legacy-building coup, even if the team in question has more than its share of woes on the field and in the front office. — Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 22 May 2022 Guns/Second Amendment: Brooks was playing baseball with his fellow congressmen in 2017 when a gunman opened fire on the field. — al, 22 May 2022 Referee Dickerson did not check the play on the monitor, instead going with the call made on the field. — Austin David, Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2022 On the field, Frankie has dedicated his season to his father. — Matt Doherty, BostonGlobe.com, 21 May 2022 As for what folks can expect to see, the former athlete teased that soccer fans will be delighted to see more action on the field. — Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 21 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The company has begun a pilot project with agents who field voice calls, lifting the total number of agents using the A.I. technology to 200. — New York Times, 19 May 2022 Contrast that Serbia’s Novak Djokovic who does not field questions about the Srebenica massacre after tournaments. — Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 4 Feb. 2022 Teams that cannot field enough players due to positive tests will have to forfeit, damaging their chances of making the playoffs. — John Keilman, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2021 Xavier will have the possibility of playing a number of local teams that also field women's lacrosse teams like Louisville, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Akron, Kent State, and most notably, Cincinnati. — Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 16 May 2021 Well, at this rate of infection, there’s a chance there won’t be enough players to field competitive teams for those big-splash games. — Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 16 Dec. 2021 The Beavers don’t have enough players to field a team for Saturday’s game. — oregonlive, 9 Dec. 2021 If Cal and the Pac-12 have determined that the Bears have enough players to field a viable squad, then the game is valid. — Michael Lev, The Arizona Republic, 7 Nov. 2021 The election staff had to field roughly 200 voter-eligibility challenges — none of which turned out to be valid — part of more than 364,000 filed across the state by an organization seeking to disqualify voters. — Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'field.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.