First, we have to define a Field: A field, is a physical quantity, which is present all throughout space-time, with a value for every point in spacetime, and can be on average zero, or non-zero in any given region, and contains waves.If a field is non-zero, it's effects may become physically visible.

Then we define a Quantum Field, which isn't much different from a Classical Field. Once it becomes quantum however, the waves the field contains themselves, are comprised of particles.. A particle, then, is simply the least-intense wave that can travel through a quantum field.

The Higgs field has a non-zero average value throughout space-time, imparting mass to other particles.