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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plus, guests will also have a big courtyard area to enjoy that comes complete with food vendors, places to sit and even a rooftop bar for those 21 and up to get some liquid courage. Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 The two businesses share a common space, so those who would like to sit with their cappuccino can do so at Maple Branch’s long picnic tables or outside in the courtyard. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025 There’s also Lutron lighting and blackout shades throughout, while custom iron gates replace the original wooden courtyard entry. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025 Stroll through the iconic Bates Hall reading room and step into the peaceful courtyard designed to mimic that of a 16th-century Roman palazzo. Kori Perten, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for courtyard

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtyard was in 1552

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courtyard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtyard. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.

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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