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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about curtilage

Dictionary Entries near curtilage

curtate distance

Statistics for curtilage

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for curtilage

The first known use of curtilage was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for curtilage

curtilage

noun

cur·ti·lage | \ ˈkərt-ᵊl-ij

\

Legal Definition of curtilage

: the area surrounding and associated with a home

Note: The curtilage of a house is included in the Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures.

Comments on curtilage

What made you want to look up curtilage? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

prestigious

esteemed in general opinion

Test Your Vocabulary

What did you just call me?! A Quiz

If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:

rousing and inspiring pompous and overblown

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games