courtyard

noun

court·​yard ˈkȯrt-ˌyärd 

: a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (such as a house or palace)

Synonyms

• close
• court
• enclosure
• inclosure
• patio
• quad
• quadrangle
• yard

Examples of courtyard in a Sentence

The apartment overlooks a courtyard.

a series of lunchtime concerts in the museum's open-air courtyard

Recent Examples on the Web

Renditions of those melancholic hymns, which often told of homesickness and heartbreak, played from a speaker in the courtyard. —Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2025

Photo : Sonya Bertolino/Compass A water fountain is featured within a shaded courtyard that faces the street. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2025

After the concert, attendees are invited to mingle with the musicians for a few minutes in the courtyard and enjoy a beverage and snacks. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025

Detectives found shell casings in a courtyard, on a loading dock and on the roof of a building. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courtyard

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

Kids Definition

courtyard

noun

court·​yard -ˌyärd 

: a court or enclosure next to a building