playing field

American  

noun

1. an expanse of level ground, as in a park or stadium, where athletic events are held.

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playing field British  

noun

1. a field or open space used for sport

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Etymology

Origin of playing field

First recorded in 1575–85

Example Sentences

"They are a response to the failure of multilateral institutions and negotiations to achieve fairness in terms of market access and a level playing field," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

“Federal policymakers must act to level the playing field and make the U.S. film and television industry more competitive on the global stage,” said Matthew Loeb, the president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

The regulatory playing field is crowded, yet no one is responsible for answering the core governance question: Can the leagues credibly police themselves?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Being denied a level playing field when trying to bridge the Premier League gap was one thing, but being denied the chance for penalties was another.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

The playing field was clearly uneven, both figuratively and literally.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• arena
• turf