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

When the weather cooperates, the courtyard becomes one of downtown's most appealing outdoor drinking spots. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 May 2026

The property includes three connected guest cabins, a triple-height sports barn, a pickleball court, a swimming hole, a football field, trails, and orchards—plus a party barn, bar, and courtyard. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 25 May 2026

There will be a central outdoor courtyard on the third level and a rooftop deck with a pool shared by all residents. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026

Walls of glass open completely to the courtyard. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 May 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