outfield
UK: ˈaʊtfiːld | US: ˈaʊtfiːld
n. (in sports) the area of the field farthest from the batter or player in action (e.g., baseball, cricket).
n. (agriculture) the outer part of a cultivated field.
The word "outfield" combines "out," derived from Old English "ūt" (meaning "external" or "beyond"), and "field," from Old English "feld" (open land or cultivated ground). Initially used in agriculture to describe peripheral land, it was later adopted in sports (19th century) to designate the distant playing area. The logical progression reflects spatial separation—from literal farmland boundaries to sports terrain divisions.
The baseball player sprinted to catch the ball in the outfield.
Farmers often leave the outfield fallow to restore soil nutrients.
His strong arm makes him ideal for playing in the outfield.
The outfield was muddy after the heavy rain, slowing down the game.
In cricket, the outfield is carefully maintained to ensure smooth ball movement.