fieldwork

Etymology

From Middle English *felde-werk (found in plural felde werkes), equivalent to field + work.

noun

1. (uncountable, agriculture) Work done out in the fields as opposed to that done elsewhere on the farm (e.g., barn, house, outbuildings, office).
2. (uncountable) Work done out in the real world rather than in controlled conditions
   That well Bob set up last weekend was some good fieldwork.
3. (in scientific research) The collection of raw data in the field, field research, field study, field studies.
   I thought the fieldwork in the course I was taking was going to be hard, but it was just interviewing people.
4. (countable, rare) A temporary fortification built by troops in the field; a defensive earthwork in the field.
   Billy's out building some fieldwork so that our enemies don't walk right over us.