field

1 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
: an open land area free of woods and buildings
(2)
: an area of land marked by the presence of particular objects or features
dune fields
b(1)
: an area of cleared enclosed land used for cultivation or pasture
a field of wheat
(2)
: land containing a natural resource
oil fields
(3)
c
: the place where a battle is fought
also : battle
d
: a large unbroken expanse (as of ice)
2
a
: an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession
the field of microbiology
b
: the sphere of practical operation outside a base (such as a laboratory, office, or factory)
geologists working in the field
c
: an area for military exercises or maneuvers
d(1)
: an area constructed, equipped, or marked for sports
a football field
(2)
: the portion of an indoor or outdoor sports area enclosed by the running track and on which field events are conducted
(3)
: any of the three sections of a baseball outfield
hits to all fields
3
: a space on which something is drawn or projected: such as
a
: the space on the surface of a coin, medal, or seal that does not contain the design
b
: the ground of each division in a flag
c
: the whole surface of an escutcheon (see escutcheon sense 1)
4
: the individuals that make up all or part of the participants in a contest
The election attracted a large field of candidates.
especially : all participants with the exception of the favorite or the winner in a contest where more than two are entered
5
: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument
6
a
: a region or space in which a given effect (such as magnetism) exists
a magnetic field
a gravitational field
b
: a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular type of differentiation (see differentiation sense 3)
a morphogenetic field
7
: a set of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary operations the second of which is distributive (see distributive sense 3) relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative (see commutative sense 2) group under the first operation and also under the second if the zero or unit element under the first is omitted
8
: a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior
9
: a series of drain tiles and an absorption area for septic-tank outflow
10
: a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which the same type of information is regularly recorded

field

2 of 3

adjective

: of or relating to a field: such as
a
: growing in or inhabiting the fields or open country
b
: made, conducted, or used in the field
c
: operating or active in the field

field

3 of 3

verb

fielded; fielding; fields

transitive verb

1
a
: to catch or pick up (something, such as a batted ball) and usually throw to a teammate
Practice fielding ground balls as much as you can. Work on keeping the ball in front of you.Michael Goldman
b
: to take care of or respond to (something, such as a telephone call or a request)
She has been fielding offers from potential buyers.
c
: to give an impromptu answer or solution to
the senator fielded the reporters' questions
2
: to put into the field
field an army
field a team
also : to enter in competition

intransitive verb

: to play as a defensive player stationed in the field
Phrases
from the field
: in field goals as opposed to free throws
made 40 percent of his shots from the field

Examples of field in a Sentence

Noun He gazed out across the fields. She hopes to find work in the health field. She is a pioneer in the field of genetic research. a lawyer who is eminent in his field working in his chosen field a fascinating field of endeavor Verb The shortstop fielded the ground ball. a shortstop who fields his position flawlessly Last week she fielded two offers on her house. His secretary will field requests for more information. The senator fielded the reporters' questions. They expect to field a strong team this year. the greatest fighting force that any nation has ever fielded
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Neural nets were racking up huge wins in fields such as image recognition, and an AI renaissance was suddenly underway. Steven Levy, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 The Novo Nordisk Foundation typically awards grants worth DKK 5 billion ($730 million) each year in the fields of science and social work. Chris Morris, Fortune Europe, 20 Mar. 2024 Founded in 1988, the conglomerate has businesses in fields ranging from ports and thermal power plants to media and cements. Diksha Madhok, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 The album’s lo-fi confessionals delve into heartbreak and childhood to tell the story of a life, pared back like field recordings retrieved from some ancient nomad dwelling. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2024 In the United States, many Major League Baseball games feature long periods of calm, punctuated by cheering when there’s action on the field or the stadium organ plays a catchy tune. John Yoon Jun Michael Park Shawn Paik, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Some skeptics believe that one of the technologies that helps explain more recent UFO sightings is the field of radar spoofing. Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 The liberal-arts field of mathematics, by contrast, is concerned with theory and abstraction. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Two weeks after narrowing the field of candidates to represent them in Congress starting next year, voters in the San Joaquin Valley are voting again. Laura J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Irving jumped to an early lead in the third minute as a sharp cross-field pass from the right side by Milton Lopez intended for Centeno was knocked in by an Allen defender for an own goal. Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 31 Mar. 2023 Fullerton put Allen ahead in the fifth minute, chipping in a goal off a precise cross-field pass from the right side by Sam Sheffield. Shawn McFarland, Dallas News, 24 Mar. 2023 Concertgoers with suite tickets can enter through any of the non-field ticket gates. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2022 Hiring a non-field coach with a six-figure salary shows investment by Harsin and athletic director Allen Greene. Nubyjas Wilborn | Nwilborn@al.com, al, 20 July 2022 There is multi-field space available for soccer and flag football. Joseph Goodman, al, 17 June 2022
Verb
The survey was fielded in October 2023 among 3,517 U.S. consumers 14 and older. Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024 De La Salle couldn’t field the ball cleanly and the throw to first base went high. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024 Baird has fielded a champagne cast for this production, which is a true ensemble piece with good work done by all. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 The survey was fielded from July 12 to August 23, 2023, and had over 20,000 respondents. 25. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 As a result, healthcare professionals are fielding a steady stream of questions from patients who are curious about what magnesium can do for them. Adam Markovitz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Oles fielded calls from election aides the Friday before the primary with delight. Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 When Endrick finally becomes a Madrid player, however, the Italian will have the option of fielding an out-and-out striker without mentioning the possibility of Kylian Mbappe arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The beloved chain is apparently fielding an avalanche of calls from shoppers double-checking that the bags are in stock. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 8 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English, from Old English feld; akin to Old High German feld field, Old English flōr floor — more at floor

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1798, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of field was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near field

Cite this Entry

“Field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

field

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: an open land area free of woods and buildings
b
: an area of cleared land used especially for planting crops
c
: a piece of land put to some special use or yielding some special product
an athletic field
a gas field
d
: a place in which military operations are carried on
e
: an open space
a field of ice
2
a
: an area of activity or influence
the field of science
b
: the area of practical activity outside a laboratory, office, or factory
earth scientists working in the field
3
: a background on which something is drawn, painted, or mounted
painted white stars on a blue field
4
: the individuals that make up all or part of a contest
a race with a large field of runners
5
: a region or space in which an effect (as gravity, electricity, or magnetism) exists
6
: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument
7
: a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which some type of information is regularly recorded

field

2 of 3 verb
: to catch or stop and throw a ball to a teammate
the shortstop fielded the ground ball

field

3 of 3 adjective
: of or relating to a field

Medical Definition

field

noun
1
: an area or division of an activity
a doctor eminent in her field
2
: a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior
3
a
: a region of embryonic tissue potentially capable of a particular type of differentiation
a morphogenetic field
b
: a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists
4
a
: an area that is perceived or under observation
especially : the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument see visual field
b
: the site of a surgical operation

Biographical Definition

Field 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

Cyrus West 1819–1892 American financier

Field

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Eugene 1850–1895 American poet and journalist

Field

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Marshall 1834–1906 American merchant

More from Merriam-Webster on field

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