left field

noun

1
: the position of the player defending left field
2
: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from the plate
3
a
: a state or position far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion)
they were really out in left field with that idea
b
: a source of the unexpected or illogical
that question came out of left field
left fielder noun

Examples of left field in a Sentence

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.
Hitting second in the final round, the 22-year-old Caminero closed within three dingers, took three pitches and hit a liner to left field. Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025 But the Twins found the equalizer in the fourth when Harrison Bader singled to start the frame, went to second on a Christian Vasquez groundout, and came home when Byron Buxton dropped a double at the base of the wall in left field. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025 It is finished out of left field with barely more than a teaspoon of sweet vermouth, offering just enough plush fruit and herbaceousness to keep it complex and interesting while keeping the overall sweetness very low. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025 Duran was left on the bench for Monday's game against the Colorado Rockies, with Refsnyder taking his usual spot in left field. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for left field

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of left field was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Left field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left%20field. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

left field

noun
1
: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from home plate
2
: the position of the player defending left field
left fielder noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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