# Greenfield

/ˈɡɹinˌfiɫd/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːnfiːld/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greenfield
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

describing a project or business that starts from nothing on a new piece of land. You use it when there are no old buildings or systems to worry about.

For teachers: relating to a project or development site that lacks existing infrastructure or previous construction. Often used in business and urban planning to describe starting a venture from scratch.

## Examples

- The company is building a greenfield factory in the countryside.
- Software developers often prefer greenfield projects because they can choose the latest technologies without supporting old, legacy code.
- The government's decision to approve greenfield development on the city's outskirts sparked a heated debate regarding urban sprawl and the preservation of local biodiversity.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; frequently contrasted with 'brownfield'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.