What does the term 'field' refer to in the context of a database?

In the context of a database, the term 'field' refers to a single category of data within a record. Each field represents a specific attribute or characteristic of the data being stored. For example, in a database for a library, there might be fields for the title of a book, the author, and the publication date. Each of these fields captures a specific piece of information about the books in the library, and collectively, these fields make up a complete record for each book. This precise meaning helps in organizing and retrieving data efficiently, as each field stores a distinct type of information that can be queried or manipulated independently.