field tile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical / Agriculture
Quick answer
What does “field tile” mean?
A drainage tile made from clay or concrete, laid underground in fields to remove excess water.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A drainage tile made from clay or concrete, laid underground in fields to remove excess water.
Any tile used for agricultural drainage purposes; can also refer in some contexts to a specific type of flooring tile suitable for outdoor use.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK usage, 'field tile' is slightly more common, whereas US speakers might use 'drain tile' or 'agricultural tile' as often or more.
Connotations
The term carries a neutral, purely functional connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
The term is rare in both dialects, found almost exclusively in farming, construction, or civil engineering literature.
Grammar
How to Use “field tile” in a Sentence
lay [field tiles] in the fieldreplace the old [field tile]a network of [field tiles]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “field tile” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to field-tile the lower pasture this autumn.
- The contractor is field-tiling the new allotments.
American English
- They're going to field tile the cornfield next spring.
- We field-tiled the property to prevent root rot.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use]
- [No standard adverbial use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial use]
- [No standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- He ordered a load of field-tile piping.
- The field-tile installation was complex.
American English
- We sourced field-tile materials from a local plant.
- The field-tile system runs east to west.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of agricultural supply or land improvement services.
Academic
Found in papers on soil science, hydrology, or agricultural engineering.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of farming communities.
Technical
The primary register for this term; precise specifications (e.g., diameter, material) are key.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “field tile”
- Confusing it with 'floor tile' or 'wall tile'. Using plural 'field tile' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'We need more field tile').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as two separate words: 'field tile'.
Yes, in technical/agricultural contexts, it can be used as a verb (e.g., 'to field-tile a field'), though it's rare.
A 'field tile' is typically a rigid pipe (clay/concrete), while a 'French drain' is a trench filled with gravel or rubble. Field tiles are often a component within a larger drainage system that may include French drains.
Yes, modern field tiles are often made from perforated plastic piping, though the traditional term originated with clay tiles.
A drainage tile made from clay or concrete, laid underground in fields to remove excess water.
Field tile is usually technical / agriculture in register.
Field tile: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːld ˌtaɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfild ˌtaɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No idioms exist for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TILE buried in a FIELD to drain it, like a secret pipeline.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTERIES OF THE LAND (field tiles as vessels removing excess fluid).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a 'field tile'?