playing field

noun

1
: a field for various games
especially : the part of a field officially marked off for play
2
: a set of conditions for competition
usually used in such phrases as a level playing field

Examples of playing field in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rosenzweig said that, while the playing field may now be more level—meaning that Shein and Temu will be required to pay the same duties as other retailers—their businesses may not see the catastrophic blow projected by some. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Apr. 2025 The Argument For Tariffs For decades, the playing field has not been level. Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Trump says tariffs will force other countries to lower their own rates on U.S. goods and services, creating a more balanced economic playing field for U.S. exports and a strong incentive for companies to manufacture goods such as cars inside the U.S. to avoid paying the tax. John Bacon, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 But the playing field may be more treacherous this time with fewer guardrails within the administration, a president who has threatened to financially punish states and others that don’t follow his dictates, and who seems to be undeterred by court rulings that tell him to do otherwise. Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for playing field

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of playing field was circa 1584

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Cite this Entry

“Playing field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/playing%20field. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

playing field

noun
: a field for various games
especially : the part of a field marked off for play
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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