fieldwork

• field work

From Middle English *felde-werk (found in plural felde werkes), equivalent to field +‎ work.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈfiːldwɜːk/
• (General American, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈfildwɝk/

fieldwork (countable and uncountable, plural fieldworks)

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

   Synonym: outwork

   Besides the bookkeeping and marketing, there's a ton of fieldwork to get done this week.

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

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

4. (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.

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

   Coordinate term: outwork

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