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field of battle

field of battle

10 5.2
An area where soldiers fight in a war
  • noun
  • /fiːld əv ˈbætəl/
translation icon : campo de batalla
  • The two armies clashed fiercely on the field of battle as the sun set behind them.

Examples

  • Shall we join now on the field of battle?

  • We have been summoned into the field of battle.

  • So we make our stand here on the field of battle.

  • Behind the field of battle, someone has developed a strategy.

  • God, protect our men on the field of battle, that they may return home to their dear ones.

  • Everyone carried something from the field of battle.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I shall defeat them on the field of battle!

  • Protecting our soldiers in the field of battle is at the core of my government's commitment to our armed forces.

  • His courage on the field of battle made us all proud to be Polks.

  • Combat-experienced soldiers know what waits for them on the field of battle, and discretion often takes precedence over valor.

    Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

battlefield
vsfield of battle
228 3.2

An area where soldiers fight during a war

is the general term for that place rather than the specific label
field
vsfield of battle
172 6.5

An area where soldiers fight during a war

is the everyday label for the same military location
front
vsfield of battle
97 6.8

The line or area where opposing armies fight during a war

is less specific about exact fighting spots than the key concept
front line
vsfield of battle
  • Specialized
83 4.1

The area where enemy armies meet and fight

is the more general term for fighting places, not only that position
battleground
vsfield of battle
75 4.4

A place where people fight physically or argue strongly

is narrower, focusing on the literal location rather than figurative use
combat zone
vsfield of battle
9 5.5

An area where soldiers are actively fighting during a war

stresses current intense fighting rather than a mere past location
battlefront
vsfield of battle
5 5.8

The place where two armies face each other and fight

is broader, naming conflict areas rather than the immediate facing position
combat area
vsfield of battle
  • Specialized
1 6.1

An area where soldiers fight the enemy

is the same place but focuses on fighting activity rather than general area
field of honor
vsfield of battle
  • Literature
1 8.3

A place where soldiers fought that people remember with respect

is the neutral physical term without the respectful or solemn tone
field of operations
vsfield of battle
  • Specialized
1 7.2

An area where soldiers fight and do military work during a war

emphasizes ongoing operations rather than a single fight location

Surface Forms

Morphology

field + of + battle

The meaning 'an area where a battle is fought' is transparently built from 'field' (ground or open area) combined with 'battle' (a fight), with 'of' serving as a simple linking preposition. This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase common across languages and standard English, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase field of battle comes from the simple image of an open field where two armies met to battle, with soldiers and weapons spread across the ground. So, it now means 'where a battle is fought' or 'battlefield'.