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

Why Executive Teams Must Rethink Mental Health as Infrastructure Raw talent alone doesn't build winning teams—on the playing field or in the boardroom. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

In 2011, Fortune even rounded up the Fortune 500 CEOs who were most successful on the playing field, with Samuel J. Palmisano, IBM’s former CEO; Walter E. Robb, Whole Foods former CEO; and Boeing’s ex-chief James McNerney all making the impressive list. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 June 2025

This is most evident with brooms, as earlier discussed: in the very unlevel playing field that is Quidditch, the quality (and price) of the broom directly impacts ability. —Literary Hub, 26 June 2025

It’s created a more equitable playing field where your zip code doesn’t determine your career ceiling. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 25 June 2025

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