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

---

Etymology

Origin of courtyard

First recorded in 1545–55; court + yard ²

Example Sentences

In the courtyard, a bodybuilder posed as a live version of Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.

From Los Angeles Times

“Enter through a private courtyard into high ceilings infused with natural light, walls of glass and polished terrazzo floors,” the description continues.

From MarketWatch

Inside the Chudo-Gorod apartment complex -- which means "Wonder City" in Russian, the city's historic language -- the hum of generators fills the courtyard between three towering grey buildings.

From Barron's

I had met with Zack a couple of months ago at her burned-out property, where she had cherished her garden, her courtyard, and the rambling flow of the 100-year-old Mediterranean-revival home.

From Los Angeles Times

When Cathy first meets Edgar and Isabella, she climbs the wall of their estate and spies on the two having tea in a courtyard, where Isabella is extolling Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

From Salon

Related Words

• lawn
• patio
• yard