courtyard

noun

court·​yard ˈkȯrt-ˌyärd 

: a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (such as a house or palace)

Synonyms of courtyard

• patio
• quadrangle
• enclosure
• yard

Examples of courtyard in a Sentence

The apartment overlooks a courtyard.

a series of lunchtime concerts in the museum's open-air courtyard

Recent Examples on the Web

Breakfast is also served à la carte in the courtyard each morning, though note that the risotto is unfortunately not on the menu that early in the day. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Turns out, Shakespeare didn’t have to decide, because the story works equally well whether the reader believes the figure is ectoplasm in the castle courtyard or is a psychological manifestation of Hamlet’s nagging conscience. — Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Wreckage could be seen floating in a large in-ground pool at the center of a courtyard. — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

The stable courtyard also provides access to the house’s office and service areas. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for courtyard

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

Kids Definition

courtyard

noun

court·​yard -ˌyärd 

: a court or enclosure next to a building