backyard

American  

[bak-yahrd] / ˈbækˈjɑrd /

noun

backyards plural

1. the portion of a lot or building site behind a house, structure, or the like, sometimes fenced, walled, etc.

2. a familiar or nearby area; neighborhood.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• backyards
  plural

Etymology

Origin of backyard

First recorded in 1650–60; back ¹ + yard ²

Explanation

The area behind your house, especially if it's covered in grass or other plants, is a backyard. Some people have decks or patios in their backyard. If you live in a city, you'll consider yourself lucky to have a tiny backyard where you can sit on a sunny day. In the suburbs, houses often have identical, fenced-in backyards. And in the country, your backyard might extend for acres. The word is sometimes hyphenated, back-yard, or spelled as two separate words. It's been in use since the 1600s, combining back and yard, from the Old English geard, "enclosure, garden, or court."

Example Sentences

The extraordinary mini manse is located in the backyard at the family’s 6-acre Beverly Park estate and boasts two stories, as well as pink interiors, and even its own balcony.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

Sometimes it takes a visitor or six million to remind folks of treasures in their own backyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

The septet's mammoth global tour was making a stop in her backyard – the Indonesian capital, Jakarta – and as a longtime fan, she couldn't fathom missing it.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

After arriving home from school, Max headed to the backyard unit to bang on his drum set, Nacho went upstairs to check out his new bedroom and Lupe rode her electric three-wheeler around the driveway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

When no one answered they headed around the house to the backyard.

From "Case of the Sneaky Snowman: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #5" by Carolyn Keene

Related Words

• courtyard
• garden
• grass
• lawn
• patio
• terrace
• yard