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field

noun \ ˈfēld \
|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

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
  • oil fields
(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
  • 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 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
6 a : 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 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 3) relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative (see commutative 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

See field defined for English-language learners

See field defined for kids

Examples of field in a Sentence

  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

Recent Examples of field from the Web

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.

Origin and Etymology of field

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

field Synonyms

Synonyms

area, arena, bailiwick, business, circle, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk;

Related Words

frontier;

study, subject;

territory, turf;

occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation;

ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width;

subfield, subspecialty;

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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

2

field

adjective

Definition of field

: 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

Origin and Etymology of field

see 1field
3

field

verb

Definition of field

fielded; fielding; fields
transitive verb
1 a : to catch or pick up (something, such as a batted ball) and usually throw to a teammate
b : to take care of or respond to (something, such as a telephone call or a request)
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 fielder

See field defined for English-language learners

Examples of field in a Sentence

  1. The shortstop fielded the ground ball.

  2. a shortstop who fields his position flawlessly

  3. Last week she fielded two offers on her house.

  4. His secretary will field requests for more information.

  5. The senator fielded the reporters' questions.

  6. They expect to field a strong team this year.

  7. the greatest fighting force that any nation has ever fielded

Recent Examples of field from the Web

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.

Origin and Etymology of field

see 1field

field Synonyms

Synonyms

address, contend (with), cope (with), grapple (with), hack, handle, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat;

Near Antonyms

botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp;

Related Words

engineer, finesse, jockey;

bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull;

command, direct, guide, steer;

control, micromanage, regulate, run;

react (to), respond (to);

Phrases

come to grips with, have a grip on;

Field

biographical name \ ˈfēld \

Definition of Field

Cyrus West 1819–1892 American financier

Field

biographical name

Definition of Field

Eugene 1850–1895 American poet and journalist

Field

biographical name

Definition of Field

Marshall 1834–1906 American merchant

FIELD Defined for English Language Learners

field

noun

Definition of field for English Language Learners

  • : an open area of land without trees or buildings

  • : an area of land that has a special use

  • : an area of work, study, etc.

field

verb

Definition of field for English Language Learners

  • baseball or cricket : to catch or stop and throw a ball; also : to play (a position) on a baseball team

  • : to deal with or respond to (something, such as a telephone call or a request)

  • : to give an answer to (a question)

FIELD Defined for Kids

1

field

noun \ ˈfēld \

Definition of field for Students

1 : a piece of open, cleared, or cultivated land
2 : a piece of land put to a special use or giving a special product
  • a ball field
  • an oil field
3 : an area of activity or influence
  • the field of science
4 : a background on which something is drawn, painted, or mounted
  • The United States flag has white stars on a blue field.
2

field

adjective

Definition of field for Students

: relating to a field
  • field work
3

field

verb

Definition of field for Students

fielded; fielding
: to catch or stop and throw a ball

Medical Dictionary

field

noun \ ˈfē(ə)ld \

medical Definition of field

1 : an area or division of an activity
  • a doctor eminent in her field
2 : a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior
3 a : a region of embryonic tissue potentially capable of a particular type of differentiation
  • a morphogenetic field
b : a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists
4 a : an area that is perceived or under observation; especially : the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument — see visual field
b : the site of a surgical operation

Learn More about field

  1. See words that rhyme with field Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for field Spanish Central: Translation of field Nglish: Translation of field for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of field for Arabic speakers

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