patio

[pat-ee-oh, pah-tee-oh]

noun

plural

patios 

1. an area, usually paved, adjoining a house and used as an area for outdoor lounging, dining, etc.

2. a courtyard, especially of a house, enclosed by low buildings or walls.

patio

/ ˈpætɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an open inner courtyard, esp one in a Spanish or Spanish-American house

2. an area adjoining a house, esp one that is paved and used for outdoor activities

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

1820–30, < Spanish, Old Spanish: courtyard, perhaps originally open area; compare Medieval Latin patium meadow, pasturage, perhaps derivative of Latin *patitus, past participle of patēre to lie open. See patent

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

C19: from Spanish: courtyard

Example Sentences

Hamilton’s condo in West Hollywood, which was designed by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects, includes an outdoor patio and a rooftop deck with views of the Hollywood Hills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Taking full advantage of its oceanside location, the home features multiple balconies and patios that can be accessed through full glass doors, allowing residents to create a true indoor/outdoor vibe throughout the year.

Read more on MarketWatch

In a police pursuit, authorities were unsuccessful at stopping the speeding driver before he lost control of the car and slammed into the bar's outdoor patio, the Tampa Police Department said in a statement.

Read more on BBC

Last time he hosted Thanksgiving, Tim said about 47 people showed up, and the tables stretched all the way outside onto the back patio.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He works many days from a patio table overlooking Miami’s Intracoastal Waterway.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• balcony 
• courtyard 
• deck 
• veranda