barnyard

American  

[bahrn-yahrd] / ˈbɑrnˌyɑrd /

noun

1. Also called barnlot.  a yard next to or surrounding a barn.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or typical of a barnyard.

   barnyard noises; simple paintings of barnyard life.

2. indecent; smutty; vulgar.

   His barnyard humor made us all blush.

barnyard British  

/ ˈbɑːnˌjɑːd /

noun

1. a yard adjoining a barn, in which farm animals are kept

2. (modifier) belonging to or characteristic of a barnyard

3. (modifier) crude or earthy

   barnyard humour

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Etymology

Origin of barnyard

First recorded in 1505–15; barn ¹ + yard ²

Explanation

A barnyard is a fenced-in area on a farm, usually next to a barn, which sometimes contains goats, chickens, or other farm animals. You can also call a barnyard a "farmyard." On many farms, animals are moved throughout the day from one area to another — in a barn to be milked, or in a pasture to graze on grass, for example. A barnyard gives farmers a place close to farm buildings where animals can be kept safely. In E.B. White's beloved children's book "Charlotte's Web," Wilbur the pig lives out most of his happy life in a barnyard on a small farm.

Example Sentences

Children ages 4 to 8 will think they know what’s coming from the placid, old-timey barnyard setting, where the horse says “neigh” and the cow says “moo.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

One article said, “A pop-up barnyard would be less inappropriate for the neighborhood.”

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2025

I learned the many shades of stink — from barnyard funk to gym sock to overripe fruit — and how to spot the difference.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2025

Trouble and the rest of the herd spent their days roaming three canyons and being tended to by staff in the animal barnyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2023

I ducked out of the kitchen, dashed across the barnyard, and began to run through the pastures toward Colonel Read’s house.

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier