schoolyard

noun

school·​yard ˈskül-ˌyärd How to pronounce schoolyard (audio)
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
… 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 noun
schoolyard games
a schoolyard bully

Examples of schoolyard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Staying silent is no way to deal with a bully like Trump, as so many children have learned in so many schoolyards. Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Canal: 'Only in Stockton' Based on CCTV footage, it is believed that the remains — which local news broadcaster RTE reported was a hand — were dropped into the schoolyard by a bird at about 10:30 a.m. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025 Even if denied entry, ICE could wait in schoolyards or conduct raids at football games. Josh Rosenthal, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for schoolyard

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of schoolyard was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Schoolyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schoolyard. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

schoolyard

noun
school·​yard
-ˌyärd
: the playground of a school

More from Merriam-Webster on schoolyard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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