patio

[pat-ee-oh, pah-tee-oh]

noun

plural

patios 

1. an area, usually paved, adjoining a house and used as an area for outdoor lounging, dining, etc.

2. a courtyard, especially of a house, enclosed by low buildings or walls.

patio

/ ˈpætɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an open inner courtyard, esp one in a Spanish or Spanish-American house

2. an area adjoining a house, esp one that is paved and used for outdoor activities

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

1820–30, < Spanish, Old Spanish: courtyard, perhaps originally open area; compare Medieval Latin patium meadow, pasturage, perhaps derivative of Latin *patitus, past participle of patēre to lie open. See patent

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

C19: from Spanish: courtyard

Example Sentences

It comes with access to a covered patio with views of the lavish backyard.

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The upstairs patio area features yet another lounging area, as well as a small table for dining.

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We sit in the shaded back patio of Virgil Normal, a 21st century lifestyle shop she owns with her husband, Charlie Staunton.

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We sat on Air Mail’s back patio, surrounded by clusters of people reading, working on their laptops and talking among themselves.

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“To access the outdoors, you had to walk down concrete steps to a covered patio.”

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Related Words

• balcony 
• courtyard 
• deck 
• veranda