junkyard

American  

[juhngk-yahrd] / ˈdʒʌŋkˌyɑrd /

noun

1. a yard for the collection, storage, and resale of junk.

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junkyard British  

/ ˈdʒʌŋkˌjɑːd /

noun

1. a place where junk is stored or collected for sale

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Etymology

Origin of junkyard

An Americanism first recorded in 1875–80; junk ¹ + yard ²

Explanation

A junkyard is a place where garbage is kept, especially scrap metal, until it's sold. Most of the trash in a junkyard can be reused or recycled. Piles of rusted metal and smashed bodies of old cars are common sights at a junkyard. The word clearly comes from the junk, or trash, that's stored there — and although it is undeniably junky, it's also got some value to companies that recycle metal. Junkyards are also called "wrecking yards" or "scrapyards." A "junkyard dog" is a guard dog that keeps watch overnight in case thieves try to steal valuable metal.

Example Sentences

A farmer who owned a Model T didn’t need a forge or metal lathe to fix his engine; he could simply order a replacement part—or cannibalize one from a wrecked car in a junkyard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

But for some of those who were hit hardest by the disaster, such as Lara’s junkyard business that was among roughly a dozen merchants operating under the freeway — recovery has been much slower.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024

A huge fire at the Grand Prairie junkyard in Texas has sent a thick plume of smoke into the air.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2024

While she visits the occasional thrift shop or junkyard, most materials are donated by people who know she’s always seeking something to salvage.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 6, 2024

After they’d sneaked out of the auto junkyard, Beatrice Leep had given Roy a peanut-butter cookie, which he gobbled hungrily.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• depot