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
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.
When governments assist their exporters in ways that violate international laws, then the playing field is no longer level, and there is no longer free trade. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025 But there’s a problem which assumes the playing field is level. Philip Elliott, Time, 4 Aug. 2025 At a minimum, wind and solar power must be on an equal playing field with fossil fuels that have been receiving public subsidies for decades, especially given the contributions of clean energy to improved public health, emission reductions, and more resilient electric grids. Nils Kupzok, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2025 But that type of upset remains an exception, argues Litman, who says there were a handful of factors that made Foxx's race in Arizona a very different playing field. Elena Moore, NPR, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for playing field

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of playing field was circa 1584

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playing field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playing%20field. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

playing field

noun
: a field for various games
especially : the part of a field marked off for play
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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