field

noun

\ ˈfēld

Definition of field

(Entry 1 of 6)

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 6)

: 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 6)

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

Field

biographical name (1)

\ ˈfēld

Definition of Field (Entry 4 of 6)

Cyrus West 1819–1892 American financier

Field

biographical name (2)

Definition of Field (Entry 5 of 6)

Eugene 1850–1895 American poet and journalist

Field

biographical name (3)

Definition of Field (Entry 6 of 6)

Marshall 1834–1906 American merchant

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about field

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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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The blowup created a field of satellite debris at that altitude. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "India's Anti-Satellite Test Could Threaten the International Space Station," 2 Apr. 2019 After the 2007 season, Tim left the field to become a sports a analyst for ESPN and co-host of Fantasy Football Now on ESPN.com and ESPN2. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "A Glance at Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Life With Her Husband Tim and Their 3 Kids," 26 Mar. 2019 But on 10th Street, there are no scouts, no shade, no lights, and no lines on the field. — Kate Morgan, Woman's Day, "A New Jersey Softball Team Is Lifting Its City's Spirits," 21 Mar. 2019 Her son’s adviser had asked him about his status as a track and field athlete, which was fabricated to facilitate his admission, according to federal charges unsealed Tuesday. — Brian Costa, WSJ, "At USC, Admissions Cheating Scandal Runs Deeper," 13 Mar. 2019 After all, the acoustic-inspired Joanne from 2016 came out of left field. — Christopher Rosa, Allure, "Lady Gaga Slams Pregnancy Rumors, and Then Announces New Music," 13 Mar. 2019 With a field established, scientists began to rotate, as would happen if a person would turn their head. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Some Humans Can Detect the Earth's Magnetic Field," 19 Mar. 2019 This odd convoy then made its way into the interior of the United States, ascending gingerly into the Rockies and coming to rest by a field near Basalt, Colorado. — David Netto, Town & Country, "Frank Gehry Built a Tiny House for Michael Eisner," 19 Mar. 2019 O’Rourke enters a crowded field, with Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Beto O'Rourke Officially Announced His 2020 Presidential Campaign," 14 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The hearing is likely to be something of a free-for-all, with bank executives fielding questions on a variety of topics from the panel’s roughly 60 members, the people said. — Emily Glazer, WSJ, "CEOs of Six Top Banks to Testify Before Congress," 24 Jan. 2019 Castro shook hands, spoke and fielded questions for an hour as guests sipped wine from plastic cups. — Ryan J. Foley, The Seattle Times, "Castro vows to champion health care, housing during 2020 bid," 8 Jan. 2019 The boy appeared relaxed fielding questions before dozens of TV cameras and reporters at their lawyers’ office in a Chicago high-rise building. — Washington Post, "Brazilian boy, 9, released to mom after US judge’s order," 29 June 2018 The company became aware of the fake quote on Tuesday night and was soon fielding questions about it. — Alan Rappeport, New York Times, "No, Harley-Davidson’s C.E.O. Did Not Punch Back at Trump," 27 June 2018 At the Berkshire Hathaway meeting Saturday, Buffett held court on stage—alongside his right-hand man and jokester Charlie Munger—and fielded questions from shareholders for almost six hours straight. — Jen Wieczner, Fortune, "The 13 Best Warren Buffett Quotes from the Berkshire Hathaway Meeting," 7 May 2018 Erin Bailey, a Columbus high school senior, started the town's first Pride festival, and has been fielding questions about hometown Vice President Mike Pence, Thursday, April 12, 2018. — Maureen Groppe, Indianapolis Star, "Human Rights Campaign calls Vice President Pence 'one of the greatest threats to equality'," 19 Apr. 2018 Barely engaged, and already fielding questions about kids. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Should We Be On Royal Baby Watch For Meghan Markle & Prince Harry?," 24 Mar. 2018 With his wife, Maddie, due any day with the couple’s third child, Mauer’s focus for now will be on husband and father rather than fielding and hitting. — Dave Campbell, The Seattle Times, "For Joe Mauer, being from Minnesota means this isn’t goodbye," 12 Nov. 2018

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.