left field
noun
1
: the position of the player defending left field
2
: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from the plate
3
a
: a state or position far from the mainstream (as of prevailing opinion)
they were really out in left field with that idea
b
: a source of the unexpected or illogical
that question came out of left field
left fielder
noun
Examples of left field in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Petco’s features include a granite exterior; an old brick building that was incorporated into the interior of left field; a mini-park beyond the outfield with a small baseball diamond and a statue of the Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn; and spectacular views of San Diego Harbor from the upper deck.
—
Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
All four of the Padres’ runs in the second inning were earned, with Ha-Seong Kim launching another three-run shot into an open window in the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field that extended San Diego’s lead to 9-0.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Mauricio Umansky: That story came out of left field and caught us all by surprise.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
Eight months later, Ward is in spring training with the Angels, ready to reclaim his spot in left field and in the heart of the batting order, seemingly no worse for the wear.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Get lots of sun at the back of the berm in right and left fields.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024
He’s helmed prestige projects from auteurs like Guillermo Del Toro and David O. Russell and taken creative risks with films out of left field (see: American Sniper).
—Eric Farwell, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
The first double hit off the wall in left field to score Josh Bell in the first inning.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024
However, in his extensive big league career, Turner has played third base, shortstop, second base, first base, left field, and center field.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
All four of the Padres’ runs in the second inning were earned, with Ha-Seong Kim launching another three-run shot into an open window in the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field that extended San Diego’s lead to 9-0.
—Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2024
Mauricio Umansky: That story came out of left field and caught us all by surprise.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024
Eight months later, Ward is in spring training with the Angels, ready to reclaim his spot in left field and in the heart of the batting order, seemingly no worse for the wear.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024
Get lots of sun at the back of the berm in right and left fields.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 19 Feb. 2024
He’s helmed prestige projects from auteurs like Guillermo Del Toro and David O. Russell and taken creative risks with films out of left field (see: American Sniper).
—Eric Farwell, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024
The first double hit off the wall in left field to score Josh Bell in the first inning.
—Andre Fernandez, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2024
However, in his extensive big league career, Turner has played third base, shortstop, second base, first base, left field, and center field.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'left field.' 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
1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to left field
Dictionary Entries Near left field
Cite this Entry
“Left field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/left%20field. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
left field
noun1
: the part of the baseball outfield to the left looking out from home plate
2
: the position of the player defending left field
left fielder
noun
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