field guide

noun

: an illustrated manual for identifying natural objects, flora, or fauna in nature

Examples of field guide in a Sentence

a field guide to the birds
Recent Examples on the Web Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Be on the lookout for these individuals and be ready to check a field guide. Taylor Piephoff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Binoculars and field guides might help, but are not necessary to get started. Hari Kumar, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2024 They are then seated and offered a field guide that outlines potential outcomes for their forthcoming adventure. David Graver, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2023 Even with field guides and online encyclopedias, even with an app that can instantly identify birds from a few chirps, bird-watching can be hard. The New York Times Elaine Chen Emily Anthes, New York Times, 18 May 2023 Officials in Montana did not specify what type of otter was involved, but a state field guide on local animals only lists one type of otter: the northern river otter, a member of the weasel family. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2023 This is your field guide to the best breakfast burritos near Arizona State University campuses in Phoenix and Tempe. The Arizona Republic, 5 Aug. 2023 Adult Northern river otters weigh around 20 pounds and are around 47 inches long, according to a field guide from Montana's state government. Phil Helsel, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'field guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of field guide was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near field guide

Cite this Entry

“Field guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20guide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

field guide

noun
: a small book with words and pictures for identifying plants, animals, or natural objects (as rocks) that are found in nature
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