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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web With one out, Verdugo drove in both runs with a single to left field. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Apr. 2023 Fraley, who’s in the middle of an awful slump, got a good bounce off the bat and snuck a seeing-eye single to left field. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 26 Apr. 2023 His first two home runs at the level both came Friday, with each going the opposite way to left field. Nathan Ruiz, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2023 The gauntlet concluded with a nine-pitch battle against slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., which ended on an easy fly out to left field. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 20 Apr. 2023 For fans and critics of the sequels, the Palpatine of it all felt strangely out of left field, and was never fully addressed. Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2023 But after Tommy Edman made it 7-3 by smacking a hanging curveball out to left field, the Diamondbacks were uncompetitive. The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023 And Maton scored on Javier Báez's sacrifice fly to left field. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2023 However, in his early years with Oakland, Muncy played first, third, second base, right field, and left field. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'left 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

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near left field

Cite this Entry

“Left field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left%20field. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

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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