field guide

noun

: an illustrated manual for identifying natural objects, flora, or fauna in nature

Examples of field guide in a Sentence

a field guide to the birds
Recent Examples on the Web In someone else’s hands, this roughly 300-page book might have been a field guide or birding companion: workhorses for the serious hobbyist. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2024 Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024 There, we were met at reception by our field guide, Henry Woest, and our tracker, George Mnisi, who would spend three days showing us the incredible wildlife of the Sabi Sand reserve. Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2024 Binoculars and field guides might help, but are not necessary to get started. Benjamin P. Russell, New York Times, 8 May 2024 Sadly, because of his past problems, the only person who believes Jared’s stories about Mulgarath and the field guide is his great-aunt Lucinda (Charlayne Woodard). Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024 Be on the lookout for these individuals and be ready to check a field guide. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 They are then seated and offered a field guide that outlines potential outcomes for their forthcoming adventure. David Graver, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023 Even with field guides and online encyclopedias, even with an app that can instantly identify birds from a few chirps, bird-watching can be hard. The New York Times Elaine Chen Emily Anthes, New York Times, 18 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'field guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of field guide was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near field guide

Cite this Entry

“Field guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20guide. Accessed 22 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

field guide

noun
: a small book with words and pictures for identifying plants, animals, or natural objects (as rocks) that are found in nature
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