fieldwork

noun

field·​work ˈfēld-ˌwərk How to pronounce fieldwork (audio)
1
: a temporary fortification thrown up by an army in the field
2
: work done in the field (as by students) to gain practical experience and knowledge through firsthand observation
3
: the gathering of anthropological or sociological data through the interviewing and observation of subjects in the field
field-worker noun

Examples of fieldwork in a Sentence

an anthropologist who has done fieldwork in the South Pacific
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 first studies on gorilla behavior began in the 1950s, through the pioneering fieldwork of George Schaller and Dian Fossey. Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025 The team encountered just six during their fieldwork. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025 Includes indoor instruction and outdoor fieldwork in Lyonia Preserve. Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025 Meet Treadward – the newest robot from HEBI Robotics, purpose-built for rugged terrain, inspection missions, and real-world fieldwork. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fieldwork

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fieldwork was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Fieldwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fieldwork. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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