field guide

noun

: an illustrated manual for identifying natural objects, flora, or fauna in nature

Examples of field guide in a Sentence

a field guide to the birds
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.
Go Birdwatching Grab a field guide or download a bird identification app and head to a local trail or park. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026 Welcome to another edition of your regular field guide to a world of Only Good Movies. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 The bird on a telephone wire looks exactly like the bird in a century-old field guide. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Ahead, find your field guide to the most succulent jammy nail ideas of the season. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for field guide

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of field guide was in 1877

Rhymes for field guide

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Browse Nearby Words

field gromwell
field guide
field hand
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Field guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20guide. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

field guide

noun
: a small book with words and pictures for identifying plants, animals, or natural objects (as rocks) that are found in nature
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