playing field

noun

1

: a field for various games

especially : the part of a field officially marked off for play

2

: a set of conditions for competition

—usually used in such phrases as a level playing field

Examples of playing field in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Great organizations could build dynasties more easily before free agency and the salary cap evened the playing field starting in 1993. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The unusual circumstances that piqued the interest of casual players was hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime gift that would widen the playing field for gaming consumers. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Look, the playing fields haven’t been even in decades, the gap between the moneyed schools widening with each passing season. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

Talent fees on season tickets, league-level deals with the likes of PayPal, naming rights revenue not just for a stadium but for the playing field within the stadium. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for playing field

• battlefield
• unconcealed
• unrepealed
• unrevealed
• afield
• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed

Kids Definition

playing field

noun

: a field for various games

especially : the part of a field marked off for play