fieldwork
UK: ˈfiːldwɜːk | US: ˈfiːldwɜːrk
n. practical work or research conducted in a natural environment or real-world setting (e.g., scientific studies, social surveys).
n. (military) temporary fortifications or operations in the field.
The word "fieldwork" combines "field" (Old English feld, meaning "open land" or "battlefield") and "work" (Old English weorc, meaning "labor" or "task"). Historically, "field" referred to cultivated land or combat zones, while "work" denoted physical or intellectual effort. By the 19th century, "fieldwork" emerged in scientific and military contexts to describe hands-on activities outside controlled environments, reflecting the shift from theoretical to empirical methods.
Anthropologists often rely on fieldwork to study indigenous cultures.
The geologist spent months doing fieldwork in the Arctic.
Military engineers completed fieldwork to fortify the camp.
Her thesis included extensive fieldwork in rural communities.
Fieldwork is essential for verifying laboratory hypotheses.