field work: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Professional
Quick answer
What does “field work” mean?
Practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment rather than in a laboratory, office, or library.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment rather than in a laboratory, office, or library.
Any work or research done outside a primary workplace, often involving data collection, observation, or practical application in real-world settings. Can also refer to temporary or mobile work locations in industries like construction, surveying, or journalism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Hyphenation ('field-work') is archaic but occasionally seen in older British texts. Spelling is consistently two words.
Connotations
In UK academic contexts, may have a stronger historical link to disciplines like anthropology, geology, and geography. In US contexts, the term is broadly applied across social sciences, environmental studies, and engineering.
Frequency
Slightly higher relative frequency in UK English due to longer tradition in certain academic fields, but the term is common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “field work” in a Sentence
do field work (in/on)carry out field work (for)engage in field workbe based on field workinvolve field workVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “field work” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her doctoral thesis required eighteen months of demanding field work in the Peruvian Andes.
- The geologist's findings were a direct result of meticulous field work.
American English
- The grant covers all costs associated with summer field work in Yellowstone.
- His conclusions weren't convincing because they lacked solid field work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May refer to sales representatives or technicians working at client sites.
Academic
Very Common. Core term in research methodologies across sciences and social sciences.
Everyday
Uncommon. Understood but not frequently used in casual conversation.
Technical
Very Common. Standard term in research, ecology, archaeology, sociology, etc.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “field work”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “field work”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “field work”
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'I did three field works' – INCORRECT). Using hyphen (field-work) – largely outdated. Confusing with 'field' as in sports.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as two separate words: 'field work'. The hyphenated form 'field-work' is archaic.
No, 'field work' is a noun. The related verb phrase is 'to do field work' or 'to conduct field work'. The verb 'to fieldwork' is extremely rare and non-standard.
'Field work' is a methodological component of research, often for academic study, focused on data collection. An 'internship' is a temporary work placement for professional experience. An internship *might* involve field work, but they are not synonymous.
You generally use it as an uncountable noun. You do **not** say 'a field work' or 'field works'. Instead, use phrases like 'a piece of field work', 'a field work project', or simply 'field work' (e.g., 'The project requires field work').
Practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment rather than in a laboratory, office, or library.
Field work is usually formal, academic, professional in register.
Field work: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːld wɜːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfild wɝːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get your boots dirty (related idiom implying hands-on, practical work)”
- “Out in the field (common phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a scientist working in a wheat FIELD, taking notes. The WORK is done in the FIELD = FIELD WORK.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING IS A STRUCTURE (built on the foundation of field work); RESEARCH IS A JOURNEY (into the field).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of 'field work'?