Definition of "fieldwork" in English

noun

1. (uncountable, agriculture) Work done out in the fields as opposed to that done elsewhere on the farm (e.g., barn, house, outbuildings, office).

   • The days now were occupied in field work and more field work; he cleared new bits of ground, getting out roots and stones; plowing, manuring, harrowing, working with pick and spade, breaking lumps of soil and crumbling them with hand and heel; a tiller of the ground always, laying out fields like velvet carpets. He waited a couple of days longer―there was a look of rain about―and then he sowed his grain.
   • Besides the bookkeeping and marketing, there's a ton of fieldwork to get done this week.

2. (uncountable) Work done out in the real world rather than in controlled conditions.

   • That well Bob set up last weekend was some good fieldwork.

3. (in scientific research) The collection of raw data in the field, field research, field study, field studies.

   • I thought the fieldwork in the course I was taking was going to be hard, but it was just interviewing people.

4. (countable, rare) A temporary fortification built by troops in the field; a defensive earthwork in the field.

   • Billy's out building some fieldwork so that our enemies don't walk right over us.