Definition

Noun: 1. A piece of land or area specifically prepared and used for playing sports or games. This is a general term for a designated outdoor area with a prepared surface (such as grass, dirt, or artificial turf) and often marked with lines for organized athletic activities.

Usage

The term "athletic field" refers to the physical location where sports are played. It emphasizes the prepared nature of the land for a specific athletic purpose. * It is commonly used in educational contexts (schools, universities) and for organized amateur sports. * It is a more formal or general term than words like "pitch" or "court."

Examples

• The university built a new athletic field for soccer and lacrosse.
• After the rain, the athletic field was too muddy for the track meet.
• The team practiced every afternoon on the main athletic field.

Advanced Usage

• "To take the field": This idiom means for a team or players to come onto the field to begin a game or to start playing.
  • Example: The home crowd cheered when Princeton took the field.

Variants and Related Words

• Field (n): A more general and commonly used short form for "athletic field."
• Playing field (n): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "athletic field."
• Sports field (n): Another direct synonym.
• Pitch (n): Primarily used for soccer, rugby, or cricket fields.
• Stadium (n): A large structure with tiers of seats surrounding a sports field.

Synonyms

Playing field, sports field, field, ground.

Related Idioms

• Level playing field: A situation in which everyone has the same opportunities and faces the same conditions; fairness in competition.
  • Example: The new regulations aim to create a level playing field for all small businesses.

Noun

1. a piece of land prepared for playing a game
   • the home crowd cheered when Princeton took the field