Field
/fiːld/
Definitions
5 meaningsAn area of land used for growing crops or keeping animals, often outdoors.
/fiːld/
An open area of land, especially one planted with crops or used for pasture.
The children played in the field.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big, open space where you can run around. Farmers grow food in the field, like corn or wheat, or animals eat grass there.
👶 For kids: A big open space outside with grass or plants.
More Examples
We planted corn in the field.
The horse grazed in the field.
How It's Used
"The farmer plowed the field."
"Wildflowers grew in the field."
A specific area or subject of study, work, or interest.
/fiːld/
A particular branch of study or sphere of activity.
She is a specialist in the field of robotics.
💡 Simply: It's like a special area where people work or study, like the science field or the art field. It helps us understand where someone is focusing their talents and efforts.
👶 For kids: A special kind of job or school study.
More Examples
He has a great deal of experience in the field.
My uncle works in the field of finance.
How It's Used
"He is a leading expert in the field of physics."
"She chose a career in the medical field."
An area specially prepared for a particular sport or activity.
/fiːld/
A piece of land used for a particular purpose, such as a sports field.
The soccer game was played on a grass field.
💡 Simply: This is the place where you play sports! Like the baseball field where you hit home runs or the soccer field where you score goals.
👶 For kids: A place where you play sports.
More Examples
The players ran onto the field.
The children loved playing on the playing field.
How It's Used
"The football field was muddy after the rain."
"They built a new baseball field in the park."
To catch or stop a ball in a game before it reaches its goal.
/fiːld/
To catch or collect a ball in a sport.
The outfielder fielded the ball.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing baseball. When the ball comes your way, you 'field' it, which means you catch it before it bounces away.
👶 For kids: To catch a ball in a game.
More Examples
He fielded a sharp ground ball.
The team practiced fielding the ball.
How It's Used
"The shortstop fielded the ground ball."
"The fielder expertly fielded the ball."
To put a team or individual players into a game or competition.
/fiːld/
To select a team or group of players for a game or competition.
The team is expected to field a strong side.
💡 Simply: If a team is 'fielding' players, it means the coach is putting those players on the field to play.
👶 For kids: To pick the players to play on a team.
More Examples
The manager is fielding a new lineup for the match.
They decided to field the best players for the final.
How It's Used
"The coach decided to field the reserves for the final game."
Idioms & expressions
out in the field
Away from a central office or laboratory, in a location where something is being investigated or tested.
"The researchers are out in the field collecting data."
playing field
A context or situation where activities are carried out.
"The internet has leveled the playing field for small businesses."
From Old English *feld*, *felda* ('open country, cultivated land'), from Proto-Germanic *feldō- ('field'). Related to Dutch *veld* and German *Feld*.
The word 'field' has been used since Old English times to describe an open piece of land, and its metaphorical use for areas of study developed over time.
Memory tip
Think of a grassy area where farmers grow their crops.
Word Origin
"open country, cultivated land"