backyard

1 of 2

noun

back·​yard ˈbak-ˈyärd 

1

: an area at the rear of a house

2

: a nearby area : neighborhood

crimes committed in our own backyard

backyard

2 of 2

adjective

: located or occurring in a backyard

a backyard barbecue

also : lacking professional training : amateur

a backyard breeder

Synonyms

Noun

• environs
• neighborhood
• purlieus
• vicinage
• vicinity

Adjective

• amateur
• avocational
• jackleg
• nonprofessional
• Sunday

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

Noun

We spent the evening relaxing in the backyard.

shocked to learn that the wind farm would be right in our own backyard

Adjective

an orchid that is a favorite with backyard horticulturists

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Mercedes-Benz parked in the backyard had damage on its front-right corner, hood and windshield, the warrant said, matching evidence found at the crash scene. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

Leanne Roser, of New Lenox, kept a watchful eye over her four dogs in the backyard Thursday afternoon, two of them still energetic pups. —Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Eggs from backyard flocks that have direct contact with migrating waterfowl might be more concerning, but avian influenza generally hampers egg production and causes most birds to die. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025

Officials said the patient was exposed to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. —Tina Reed, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backyard

• asgard
• barnyard
• blackguard
• bombard
• brickyard
• canard
• churchyard
• coastguard
• courtyard
• debarred
• diehard
• disbarred

Kids Definition

backyard

noun

back·​yard

-ˈyärd

1

: an area in back of a house

2

: an area in which one has a special interest