courtyard

[kawrt-yahrd, kohrt-]

noun

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

courtyard

/ ˈkɔːtˌjɑːd /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtyard¹

First recorded in 1545–55; court + yard ²

Example Sentences

We met in the courtyard with neighbors — the ones who didn’t hate our dog.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The cross-shaped tower designed by Seattle architecture firm Mithun would include common courtyard and terrace areas oriented toward Levering Avenue, the study said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Michael didn’t realize how tense he was until he saw the courtyard near his building.

Read more on Literature

It was perhaps the haphazard approach to cataloging that allowed one of the most impressive artifacts to sit unnoticed—first in an open courtyard and then in a remote corner of the museum.

Read more on Literature

Women wearing long wigs and ornate traditional dresses milled around a pebbled courtyard, stopping to snap photos under a pavilion, as the melodious strumming of the Chinese zither played in the background.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• lawn 
• patio 
• yard