subfield

noun

sub·​field ˈsəb-ˌfēld How to pronounce subfield (audio)
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
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.
Swarm intelligence is a subfield of AI that draws inspiration from the collective behavior of social insects, such as ants, bees and termites. Thomas Caldwell, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 The feature uses on-device machine learning, a subfield of AI, to detect scam texts including fraudulent package delivery texts and job scam texts. Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 23 Oct. 2024 The drillers pulled up hundreds of cylinders of ice, which turned out to contain a wealth of information about the climate and helped make ice drilling a scientific subfield. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024 Today quantum information science is among the most vibrant subfields in all of physics. Daniel Garisto, Scientific American, 6 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for subfield 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of subfield was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near subfield

Cite this Entry

“Subfield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subfield. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on subfield

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!