brownfield

¹ American  

[broun-feeld] / ˈbraʊnˌfild /

noun

1. an industrial or commercial site that is idle or underused because of real or perceived environmental pollution.

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Brownfield ² American  

[broun-feeld] / ˈbraʊnˌfild /

noun

1. a city in NW Texas.

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brownfield British  

/ ˈbraʊnˌfiːld /

noun

1. (modifier) denoting or located in an urban area that has previously been built on

   Hampshire has many brownfield developments

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brownfield Scientific  

/ broun′fēld′ /

1. A piece of industrial or commercial property that is abandoned or underused and often environmentally contaminated, especially one considered as a potential site for redevelopment.

2. Compare greenfield

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Etymology

Origin of brownfield

1975–80; brown + field

Example Sentences

In addition to social housing funding, a £150m package has also been allocated to mayors to fund the development of brownfield sites, with the aim of building 1,600 new homes across Yorkshire.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

“AT&T has clearly made its case and not just with brownfield conversions but out-of-footprint M&A,” he wrote at the time.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 22, 2025

Today, the former brownfield is a popular bird-watching spot.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

The government said it was part of its "brownfield first" approach and would create "vibrant" new communities.

From BBC • Jul. 29, 2025

The report, in May 2024, added: "This proposal would redevelop a derelict and vacant, low quality brownfield site close to the Oxford Road Corridor."

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025