A field is an open area of land, often covered with grass or crops. Farmers grow wheat, corn, or vegetables in fields. Athletes play soccer, baseball, or football on fields. A field might be wild and untamed, full of wildflowers and tall grass, or it might be carefully maintained, with neat rows of planted corn stretching toward the horizon.

The word also describes an area of study or work. A scientist might work in the field of biology, studying living things. A historian specializes in the field of history. When someone is an expert in their field, they know a tremendous amount about their particular subject. Your teacher might say, “Mathematics is a fascinating field” or “She's one of the best researchers in her field.”

In sports, being “on the field” means actively playing in the game, as opposed to sitting on the bench. A coach might say, “Get out there on the field and give it everything you've got!”

Field can also mean dealing with real situations rather than theory or preparation. Scientists doing field research collect data out in nature instead of in a laboratory. A field trip takes students out of the classroom to learn by experiencing something firsthand, whether visiting a museum, a factory, or a historical site.