field theory

noun

: any theory in physics consisting of a detailed mathematical description of the assumed physical properties of a region under some influence (such as gravitation)

Examples of field theory in a Sentence

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From the flat perspective, the universe is made up only of particles obeying a quantum theory known as a conformal field theory (that’s the CFT of AdS/CFT). Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 Quantum field theory, the powerful framework of modern particle physics, says the universe is filled with fields. Matt Strassler, Quanta Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024 Not everything can carry over — for instance, in the number theory and function field settings, there is no counterpart to the conformal field theory ideas that enabled researchers to construct special eigensheaves in the geometric setting. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 19 July 2024 In the early 1990s, Beilinson and Drinfeld showed how to use conformal field theory to build certain particularly nice eigensheaves. Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for field theory 

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of field theory was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near field theory

Cite this Entry

“Field theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/field%20theory. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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