Fält

Fält is a Swedish noun that translates to field in English. It has several related senses, spanning geography, science, and everyday usage. In general, fält denotes an area or domain with a boundary or defined purpose.

In geography and agriculture, a fält refers to an expanse of cultivated land or open countryside. More broadly, it can mean any area of land set aside for a specific use, such as grazing or farming. Metaphorically, it is also used to describe a sphere of activity or influence, such as a scientific or professional field.

In science and mathematics, fält is used for the technical concept of a field. In physics, phrases like elektromagnetiskt fält (electromagnetic field) or gravitetsfält (gravitational field) describe a region where a physical quantity has a defined value at every point. In mathematics, fält can denote an algebraic structure with addition and multiplication, analogous to the English term “field,” as in real numbers or complex numbers forming a field.

In computing and information technology, fält refers to a data field or form field—an individual piece of data in a database or a labeled input in a form, such as a text field or numeric field.

The word derives from Proto-Germanic roots and has cognates in several Germanic languages, including German Feld, Dutch veld, and English field. It is also used in compounds such as fältarbete (fieldwork).