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courtyard

American  
[kawrt-yahrd, kohrt-] / ˈkɔrtˌyɑrd, ˈkoʊrt- /

noun

  1. a court open to the sky, especially one enclosed on all four sides.

courtyard British  
/ ˈkɔːtˌjɑːd /

noun

  1. an open area of ground surrounded by walls or buildings; court

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of courtyard

First recorded in 1545–55; court + yard 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He later moves through a courtyard and inside a large warehouse, and walks in and out of adjacent rooms filled with more body bags.

From BBC

“Expansive terraces, meditation gardens, and hidden courtyards evoke a world-class resort ambiance, while infinity pools and a private boathouse complete its coastal allure,” the description noted.

From MarketWatch

In one village, a woman in her 70s wore a green padded jacket underneath an apron as she crossed her outdoor courtyard.

From Barron's

“The main house unfolds around a central landscaped courtyard, a lovely focal point that brings light and flow to the interiors,” the description goes on.

From MarketWatch

Instead the body was handed over to police in the embassy courtyard.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.