backyard

1 of 2

noun

back·​yard ˈbak-ˈyärd How to pronounce backyard (audio)
1
: an area at the rear of a house
2
: a nearby area : neighborhood
crimes committed in our own backyard

backyard

2 of 2

adjective

: located or occurring in a backyard
a backyard barbecue
also : lacking professional training : amateur
a backyard breeder

Examples of backyard in a Sentence

Noun We spent the evening relaxing in the backyard. shocked to learn that the wind farm would be right in our own backyard Adjective an orchid that is a favorite with backyard horticulturists
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.
Noun
That the wildest of wildlife can sometimes be spotted in your own backyard. Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024 How Long Can Eggs Safely Sit Out? Eggs from the store can only sit out for two hours, whereas eggs from a chicken in your backyard or from the farmer's market that are unwashed can sit out for around two weeks. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
When entered by Chavez, as anticipated, his will mark the third guilty plea to come out of the investigation into Perry’s death; the actor was found dead in his backyard hot tub at his Pacific Palisades home in October. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2024 Since 2022, about 22.9 million birds from backyard flocks and commercial facilities have been destroyed to keep the virus at bay in Iowa, the nation's top egg producer, according to USDA data. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for backyard 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backyard was in 1618

Dictionary Entries Near backyard

Cite this Entry

“Backyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backyard. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

backyard

noun
back·​yard
-ˈyärd
1
: an area in back of a house
2
: an area in which one has a special interest

More from Merriam-Webster on backyard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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