schoolyard
noun
school·yard
ˈskül-ˌyärd 
plural schoolyards
: the area next to or surrounding a school where students typically play games or sports
He organized a marbles tournament that could take place only in the schoolyard during recess.—
Jerry Spinelli
Jerry Spinelli… there was a schoolboyish quality to the way he did it—as if he were trying to show that he was the biggest, toughest boy in the schoolyard.—Elizabeth Drew
—often used before another nounElizabeth Drewschoolyard games
a schoolyard bully
Examples of schoolyard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Blue green examples such as replacing schoolyard asphalt with permeable surfaces are mentioned, but the key solution touched on is the benefit of expanding recreation and open space.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
So don’t just view the lengthy montage of Lions trick plays as some kind of schoolyard circus act.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
In parks, office buildings and schoolyards, groups of people join together throughout the day in a three-minute, 13-move calisthenic routine — no equipment required.
—Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
The trio's schoolyard nemesis, Princess Morbucks, knows she's been naughty this year and doesn't have a hope of getting her wish: to become a Powerpuff Girl.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for schoolyard
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
So don’t just view the lengthy montage of Lions trick plays as some kind of schoolyard circus act.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
In parks, office buildings and schoolyards, groups of people join together throughout the day in a three-minute, 13-move calisthenic routine — no equipment required.
—Talya Minsberg, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
The trio's schoolyard nemesis, Princess Morbucks, knows she's been naughty this year and doesn't have a hope of getting her wish: to become a Powerpuff Girl.
—EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for schoolyard
Cite this Entry
“Schoolyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schoolyard. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share