curtilage

noun

cur·ti·lage | \ ˈkər-tə-lij

Definition of curtilage

: a piece of ground (such as a yard or courtyard) within the fence surrounding a house

Examples of curtilage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Supreme Court long has recognized that privacy interests are heightened within the home, with precedents that limit police intrusions not only into structures but also the immediately surrounding property, known as the curtilage. — Jess Bravin, WSJ, "Police Need Warrants to Search Vehicles at Private Homes, High Court Rules," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curtilage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for curtilage

Middle English, from Anglo-French curtillage, from curtil garden, curtilage, from curt court

Anglo-French curtillage enclosed land belonging to a house, kitchen garden, from Old French cortillage kitchen garden, from cortil garden, ultimately from Latin cohort-, cohors farmyard

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