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

Whether dinner or drinks, the lively courtyard is the place to be for alfresco dining. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026

On a recent morning, dozens of girls in crisp uniforms rushed through the courtyards filled with bougainvillea, baobabs and palm trees to the sounds of birds and ocean waves. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

The club has begun opening in phases beginning with a courtyard. — Elle McLogan, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Soon, in the Hôtel de Ville courtyard, Grégoire greeted me in a smart blue suit, brown sunglasses, and jet-black oxfords. — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 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