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

Raya Sanggingan Banjar Lungsiakan Clever planning, fresh design, private courtyards, and infinity pools make this resort feel modern—yet totally at home in Ubud. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Hanging from a gantry erected in the interior courtyard of the palazzo, tire fragments are threaded together and reassembled into hulking blasting mats. — Tina M. Campt, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

The bedroom spills open to a private courtyard with a hot tub. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026

The Kimpton property is expected to comprise 114 rooms, a rooftop bar, restaurant, internal courtyard, wellness facilities, and dedicated meeting and event space. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 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