backyard

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noun back·yard \ -ˈyärd \

Definition of backyard

1 :an area at the rear of a house

2 :a nearby area :neighborhood

crimes committed in our own backyard

See backyard defined for English-language learners

See backyard defined for kids

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

We spent the evening relaxing in the backyard.
shocked to learn that the wind farm would be right in our own backyard

Recent Examples of backyard from the Web

White is pictured in her backyard swinging amongst the bubbles.

— Cincinnati.com, "White to help kick off Down Syndrome Awareness Month," 30 Aug. 2017
Of course walking tacos are equally delicious when served at a picnic in the park or at a backyard party.

— melissa elsmo, chicagotribune.com, "Frito Pie: This chili-based campout classic is in the bag," 29 Aug. 2017
Up until a couple days ago, there were only two routes to get your hands on one: Find the seeds and grow them in your backyard, or go to a restaurant, like Blue Hill or Portland’s Le Pigeon, that serves them.

— ali francis, Bon Appetit, "These Non-Spicy Habanero Peppers are a Gift from Science," 28 Aug. 2017
Crawfish kits, the type of cookware used at backyard cookouts and football tailgates across the south.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Crawfish cookware can’t handle the heat, so it’s on the recall list," 24 Aug. 2017
Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot, wants to extract just such a price in McConnell’s backyard.

— lisa gillespie, Kaiser Health News, "Will GOP Pay A Price For Trying To Take Health Care Benefits From Voters?," 24 Aug. 2017
The announcement occurred on the banks of the Mobile River, and in the backyard of state Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, who is polling around 7 percent heading into Tuesday's primary in Alabama's special election for the U.S. Senate.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Mo Brooks comes to Alabama's coast, woos Pittman supporters," 11 Aug. 2017
Beijing surely does not relish the thought of a massive, destabilizing war on the Korean peninsula, much less a nuclear exchange in its backyard.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Don’t Count on China or Russia to Resolve the North Korea Crisis," 9 Aug. 2017
The boyfriend was alleged to have battered and strangled the woman at their home and to have fired a shotgun round into the backyard patio deck, Munsch said.

— pauline repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sheriff's: Man strangled girlfriend, fired shotgun at Vista home," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backyard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of backyard

1618

backyard Synonyms

Synonyms

environs, neighborhood, purlieus, vicinage, vicinity

Related Words

environment, surround, surroundings

backyard

adjective

Definition of backyard

:located or occurring in a backyard

a backyard barbecue

; also :lacking professional training :amateur

a backyard breeder

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

an orchid that is a favorite with backyard horticulturists

First Known Use of backyard

1719

backyard Synonyms

Synonyms

amateur, avocational, jackleg, nonprofessional, Sunday

Related Words

naive (or naïve), primitive, self-taught; amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled; uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; part-time, weekend

BACKYARD Defined for English Language Learners

backyard

play

noun

Definition of backyard for English Language Learners

: an area in back of a house; especially : an area of grass behind someone's house
: the general area near and around someone's home

BACKYARD Defined for Kids

backyard

play

noun back·yard \ ˈbak-ˈyärd \

Definition of backyard for Students

:an area in the back of a house

Learn More about backyard

See words that rhyme with backyard Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for backyard Nglish: Translation of backyard for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of backyard for Arabic speakers

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First Known Use of backyard

backyard Synonyms

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backyard

Definition of backyard

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

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backyard Synonyms

Synonyms

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BACKYARD Defined for English Language Learners

backyard

Definition of backyard for English Language Learners

BACKYARD Defined for Kids

backyard

Definition of backyard for Students

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