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 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
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 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
: 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
fielded; fielding; fields
1
a
: 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
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
: to play as a defensive player stationed in the field
Synonyms
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 WebNick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Apr. 2024
Although Cook’s stand failed and the soccer field was built, nearby swales — now called the Wieduwilt Swales — survived.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Asked for an explanation, Wicker pointed toward the middle of the field.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
As the undisputed leaders in the field, Washington and Beijing are best equipped to set an example by putting limits on military uses of drone swarms.
—Frank Bajak, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Standing in matching black t-shirts and holding metal detectors, friends Finn Ibsen and Lars Danielsen posed for a photo in a field in the town of Ringsted, Denmark.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
This Miami hotel highlights the work of artists such as Reyna Noriega and Kandy G Lopez, and aims to redefine the field of hospitality.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
George made 14 of 21 shots from the field and eight of 12 from beyond the arc to help the Clippers beat the Hornets for the 12th consecutive time.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Rozier led the Heat, finishing the win with a team-high 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 31 Mar. 2023
Fullerton put Allen ahead in the fifth minute, chipping in a goal off a precise cross-field pass from the right side by Sam Sheffield.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023
Concertgoers with suite tickets can enter through any of the non-field ticket gates.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
Hiring a non-field coach with a six-figure salary shows investment by Harsin and athletic director Allen Greene.
—Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 20 July 2022
There is multi-field space available for soccer and flag football.
—Joseph Goodman, al, 17 June 2022
Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 3 Apr. 2024
The country’s Supreme Court and top election officials reinforced Sen’s grip by disbanding or blocking Cambodia’s top opposition parties from fielding candidates in national elections.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
That’s a change from last election cycle when Democrats did not field candidates against Gallagher and Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Glenbuelah Republican who represents the 6th Congressional District.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Europe has now begun to field bids for a new funding mechanism designed to support green hydrogen — an offshoot of the main Innovation Fund.
—John Ainger, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Jake Cronenworth followed with a base hit, putting the potential tying run in the on-deck circle with Machado at the plate, but Estrada fielded a hard grounder off the bat of Machado that started an inning-ending double play.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
The Guest continues to increase its cult status with each passing year, and Stevens and Wingard, as well as writer Simon Barrett, have fielded countless requests for a sequel ever since.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
No players other than the kicker and the returners can move until the ball is fielded by a returner.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Both of the Taylor-Johnsons have had to field questions about their relationship throughout their careers, especially early in their romance.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
Noun
Some of the biggest increases have come in the university’s health programs and its science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields — which have outgrown their available buildings, according to the request a letter .
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Apr. 2024
Although Cook’s stand failed and the soccer field was built, nearby swales — now called the Wieduwilt Swales — survived.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
Asked for an explanation, Wicker pointed toward the middle of the field.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024
As the undisputed leaders in the field, Washington and Beijing are best equipped to set an example by putting limits on military uses of drone swarms.
—Frank Bajak, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Standing in matching black t-shirts and holding metal detectors, friends Finn Ibsen and Lars Danielsen posed for a photo in a field in the town of Ringsted, Denmark.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
This Miami hotel highlights the work of artists such as Reyna Noriega and Kandy G Lopez, and aims to redefine the field of hospitality.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
George made 14 of 21 shots from the field and eight of 12 from beyond the arc to help the Clippers beat the Hornets for the 12th consecutive time.
—Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024
Rozier led the Heat, finishing the win with a team-high 27 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 shooting from three-point range.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Irving jumped to an early lead in the third minute as a sharp cross-field pass from the right side by Milton Lopez intended for Centeno was knocked in by an Allen defender for an own goal.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 31 Mar. 2023
Fullerton put Allen ahead in the fifth minute, chipping in a goal off a precise cross-field pass from the right side by Sam Sheffield.
—Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023
Concertgoers with suite tickets can enter through any of the non-field ticket gates.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022
Hiring a non-field coach with a six-figure salary shows investment by Harsin and athletic director Allen Greene.
—Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 20 July 2022
There is multi-field space available for soccer and flag football.
—Joseph Goodman, al, 17 June 2022
Verb
The Red Wolves' shortstop Campbell charged in and fielded it but his throw sailed well over Brandon Hager's head at first base for a single and error to score two.
—Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 3 Apr. 2024
The country’s Supreme Court and top election officials reinforced Sen’s grip by disbanding or blocking Cambodia’s top opposition parties from fielding candidates in national elections.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
That’s a change from last election cycle when Democrats did not field candidates against Gallagher and Rep. Glenn Grothman, a Glenbuelah Republican who represents the 6th Congressional District.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
Europe has now begun to field bids for a new funding mechanism designed to support green hydrogen — an offshoot of the main Innovation Fund.
—John Ainger, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
Jake Cronenworth followed with a base hit, putting the potential tying run in the on-deck circle with Machado at the plate, but Estrada fielded a hard grounder off the bat of Machado that started an inning-ending double play.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
The Guest continues to increase its cult status with each passing year, and Stevens and Wingard, as well as writer Simon Barrett, have fielded countless requests for a sequel ever since.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024
No players other than the kicker and the returners can move until the ball is fielded by a returner.
—Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Both of the Taylor-Johnsons have had to field questions about their relationship throughout their careers, especially early in their romance.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'field.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun, Adjective, and Verb
Middle English, from Old English feld; akin to Old High German feld field, Old English flōr floor — more at floor
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1798, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of field was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing field
Articles Related to field
Dictionary Entries Near field
Cite this Entry
“Field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
field
1 of 3 noun1
a
: an open land area free of woods and buildings
b
: an area of cleared land used especially for planting crops
c
: a piece of land put to some special use or yielding some special product
an athletic field
a gas field
d
: a place in which military operations are carried on
e
: an open space
a field of ice
2
a
: an area of activity or influence
the field of science
b
: the area of practical activity outside a laboratory, office, or factory
earth scientists working in the field
3
: a background on which something is drawn, painted, or mounted
painted white stars on a blue field
4
: the individuals that make up all or part of a contest
a race with a large field of runners
5
: a region or space in which an effect (as gravity, electricity, or magnetism) exists
6
: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument
7
: a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which some type of information is regularly recorded
field
2 of 3 verb
: to catch or stop and throw a ball to a teammate
the shortstop fielded the ground ball
field
3 of 3 adjective
: of or relating to a field
Medical Definition
field
noun1
: 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
Biographical Definition
Field
2 of 3biographical name (2)
Eugene 1850–1895 American poet and journalist
Field
3 of 3biographical name (3)
Marshall 1834–1906 American merchant
More from Merriam-Webster on field
Nglish: Translation of field for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of field for Arabic Speakers
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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