subfield

noun

sub·​field ˈsəb-ˌfēld 

1

: a subset of a mathematical field that is itself a field

2

: a subdivision of a field (as of study)

Examples of subfield in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then as now, the experts of a subfield by and large failed to predict the most seismic political event in a generation. —Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

But Anfinsen’s theory launched an entire subfield of computational biology with the goal of using complex mathematics, instead of empirical experiments, to model proteins. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that works by finding patterns and relationships in data. —Azarang Asadi, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2025

Whether or not scholars have agreed with all the aspects of Shohat’s analysis, her call for Mizrahi studies certainly pointed toward that subfield’s subsequent expansion. —Josh Lambert, JSTOR Daily, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for subfield

• afield
• airfield
• annealed
• appealed
• brownfield
• coalfield
• concealed
• congealed
• cornfield
• downfield
• goldfield
• hayfield