courtyard

noun

court·​yard ˈkȯrt-ˌyärd How to pronounce courtyard (audio)
: a court or enclosure adjacent to a building (such as a house or palace)

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 The firm made sure most of the hotel’s public spaces are situated either outdoors or open to the courtyard. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Photo : David Fitzgerald An inviting spa sits in a downstairs courtyard. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2024 Unique details make this B&B memorable, from ceramic Japanese soaking tubs to a courtyard wall covered in tea lights and hanging nopales (cactus paddles). Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2024 Sitting high above the Chora, and visible from nearly every vantage point on the island, the monastery is accessible through a labyrinth of stone pathways leading to the gate that opens to the courtyard revealing stone archways, towers, and ramparts reflective of the Byzantine architectural style. Monica Mendal, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for courtyard 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'courtyard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtyard was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near courtyard

Cite this Entry

“Courtyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtyard. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

courtyard

noun
court·​yard -ˌyärd How to pronounce courtyard (audio)
: a court or enclosure next to a building

More from Merriam-Webster on courtyard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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