courtyard

noun

court·​yard ˈkȯrt-ˌyärd 

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

Synonyms of courtyard

• patio
• quadrangle
• enclosure
• 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

Ka'mardre Coleman remembered Students and family of Ka'mardre Coleman gathered in the high school's courtyard with flowers, balloons and candles. —Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

The sprawling mountain-view grounds, centered on a spacious graveled courtyard ideal for entertaining, host an infinity pool and spa, a bocce court, and a 220-tree Italian olive grove. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, the patio overlooks a private garden and an olive grove, and the courtyard from the second bedroom allows for the quiet reflection that comes with a good vacation. —Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026

The development also would include an outdoor pool-courtyard. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026

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