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

From the charming courtyards and upscale fashion boutiques tucked behind Worth Avenue to the rugged majesty of Jupiter’s inlets, the region is a playground for the curious traveler. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Outside, landscaped courtyards and public seating open previously inaccessible areas of the church site to the surrounding neighborhood. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026

Nobody had cleaned up the bloodstains in the courtyard; the concierge mopped the place down in the early mornings but avoided washing away what remained of the crime. — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Long vertical windows opened onto a courtyard shaded by a sprawling olive tree. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 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