curtilage

noun

cur·​ti·​lage ˈkər-tə-lij 

: a piece of ground (such as a yard or courtyard) within the fence surrounding a house

Examples of curtilage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Within the curtilage is a hidden walled garden, and elsewhere on the property is an original workshop that has been restored. —Mark David, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2024

The curtilage includes native sandstone boulder walls and a simple landscape of native and adaptive plants that enhance and preserve the woodland habitat. —Mark David, Robb Report, 7 Dec. 2023

In legal parlance, curtilage refers to land attached to a house, like a yard or garden. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2019

The Supreme Court long has recognized that privacy interests are heightened within the home, with precedents that limit police intrusions not only into structures but also the immediately surrounding property, known as the curtilage. —Jess Bravin, WSJ, 29 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French curtillage, from curtil garden, curtilage, from curt court

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

curtilage

noun

cur·​ti·​lage ˈkərt-ᵊl-ij 

: the area surrounding and associated with a home

Note: The curtilage of a house is included in the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures.

Etymology

Anglo-French curtillage enclosed land belonging to a house, kitchen garden, from Old French cortillage kitchen garden, from cortil garden, ultimately from Latin cohort-, cohors farmyard