Outfield

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈaʊtfild/

Definitions

1. The region of a sports field situated beyond the infield where players typically stand during play is critical for both defense and offense strategy
2. A segment of a field that lies farthest from the main action, often occupied by players tasked with specific defensive roles
3. A zone extending from the edges of the infield to the outer boundary, usually inhabited by players responsible for covering large ground and preventing hits from turning into extra bases

Etymology: "Outfield" is a plain compound: "out" joined to "field." The first part descends from Old English "ūt," meaning "outside" or "away from the centre," which traces back through Proto-Germanic to a far older Indo-European root. The second part comes from Old English "feld," a word for open ground, which also gave modern English "field." Put together, the word simply describes the open ground lying beyond the central playing area. Its literal sense is therefore "the outer field," and the name tells you where the position sits: beyond the infield, where the diamond's inner dirt gives way to grass.

Synonyms: field, outfield area