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¹field

noun \ˈfēld\

: an open area of land without trees or buildings

: an area of land that has a special use

: an area of work, study, etc.

Full Definition of FIELD

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 (3) : airfield

c : the place where a battle is fought; also : battle

d : a large unbroken expanse (as of ice)

a : an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession

b : the sphere of practical operation outside a base (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 (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>

: a space on which something is drawn or projected: 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

: the individuals that make up all or part of the participants in a contest; especially : all participants with the exception of the favorite or the winner in a contest where more than two are entered

: the area visible through the lens of an optical instrument

a : a region or space in which a given effect (as magnetism) exists

b : a region of embryonic tissue capable of a particular type of differentiation <a morphogenetic field>

: a set of mathematical elements that is subject to two binary operations the second of which is distributive relative to the first and that constitutes a commutative group under the first operation and also under the second if the zero or unit element under the first is omitted

: a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior

: a series of drain tiles and an absorption area for septic-tank outflow

: a particular area (as of a record in a database) in which the same type of information is regularly recorded

— from the field

: in field goals as opposed to free throws <made 40 percent of his shots from the field>

See field defined for English-language learners

See field defined for kids

Origin of FIELD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FIELD

Synonyms: clearing, ground, lot, parcel, plat, plot, tract

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with FIELD

keeled, shield, weald, wheeled, wield, yield

²field

adjective

Definition of FIELD

: of or relating to a field: 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

First Known Use of FIELD

12th century

³field

verb

baseball or cricket : to catch or stop and throw a ball; also : to play (a position) on a baseball team

: to deal with or respond to (something, such as a telephone call or a request)

: to give an answer to (a question)

Full Definition of FIELD

transitive verb

a : to catch or pick up (as a batted ball) and usually throw to a teammate

b : to take care of or respond to (as a telephone call or a request)

c : to give an impromptu answer or solution to <the senator fielded the reporters' questions>

: to put into the field <field an army> <field a team>; also : to enter in competition

intransitive verb

: to play as a fielder

See field defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of FIELD

1823

Related to FIELD

Synonyms: address, contend (with), cope (with), handle, grapple (with), hack, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat

Field

biographical name \ˈfēld\

Definition of FIELD

Cyrus West 1819–1892 Am. financier

Field

biographical name

Definition of FIELD

Eugene 1850–1895 Am. poet & journalist

Field

biographical name

Definition of FIELD

Marshall 1834–1906 Am. merchant

FIELD Defined for Kids

¹field

noun \ˈfēld\

Definition of FIELD for Kids

: a piece of open, cleared, or cultivated land

: a piece of land put to a special use or giving a special product <a ball field> <an oil field>

: an area of activity or influence <the field of science>

: a background on which something is drawn, painted, or mounted <The United States flag has white stars on a blue field.>

²field

adjective

Definition of FIELD for Kids

: relating to a field <field work>

³field

verb

field·edfield·ing

Definition of FIELD for Kids

: to catch or stop and throw a ball

Medical Dictionary

field

noun \ˈfē(ə)ld\

Medical Definition of FIELD

: an area or division of an activity <a doctor eminent in her field>

: a complex of forces that serve as causative agents in human behavior

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

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