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

… 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

Any crabs that managed to survive and reach the school would wander through the corridors, the schoolyard, the flower beds, and even the classrooms. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

That’s because she and the next person on our list were not selected for teams on a day 2 schoolyard pick ‘em. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Dementia is clearly a big problem, and yet, sadly, our politicians — both Democrats and Republicans — talk about it not like adults, but like schoolyard bullies. — Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

William and Kate Middleton were seen walking across the schoolyard with their son before greeting the headmaster and provost. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for schoolyard

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

Kids Definition

schoolyard

noun

school·​yard

-ˌyärd

: the playground of a school