playfield

noun play·field \ ˈplā-ˌfēld \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of playfield

: a playground for outdoor athletics

Recent Examples of playfield from the Web

In another mini-game, players must aim a laser at a playfield, allowing you to move around a little robot avatar who follows your laser.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Oculus Go review: The wireless-VR future begins today for only $199," 1 May 2018
In the incredibly fun arcade version, two to four players chomp pellets and avoid ghosts on the same ever-shifting playfield, racing for power pellets that increase player size and grant the ability to eat opponents.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "New casino game lets you bet real money on Pac-Man," 28 Sep. 2017
Keyboard Sports, though, puts practically every key on the board to use in a clever way, with the surface of the keyboard serving as an analog for the player's position on the playfield.

— kyle orland and sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "The Ars 10: We pick our favorite indie games from PAX West 2017," 11 Sep. 2017
Most of these involve some frustrating jumping on an ever-scrolling playfield or a bullet-hell-style zig-zag battle in Cuphead's biplane (shown in the above gallery).

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Cuphead is the prettiest game to make you throw your controller," 29 Sep. 2017
Denny Park has been reworked multiple times, with a formal garden and playfield added in 1903.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Once a cemetery, Denny Park — Seattle’s oldest — gets a modern makeover," 21 May 2017
The backglass and the elements of the playfield reference the Twilight Zone’s iconic opening credits sequence, as well as several of the best episodes.

— chris baker, WIRED, "Videogames & Futurama, Part 3: Pinball Wizardry," 19 Dec. 2007

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'playfield.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.