patio

[ pat-ee-oh, pah-tee-oh ]

noun

, plural pat·i·os.

1. an area, usually paved, adjoining a house and used as an area for outdoor lounging, dining, etc.
2. a courtyard, especially of a house, enclosed by low buildings or walls.

patio

/ ˈpætɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an open inner courtyard, esp one in a Spanish or Spanish-American house
2. an area adjoining a house, esp one that is paved and used for outdoor activities

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

1820–30, Americanism; < Spanish, Old Spanish: courtyard, perhaps originally open area; compare Medieval Latin patium meadow, pasturage, perhaps derivative of Latin *patitus, past participle of patēre to lie open. See patent

Word History and Origins

Origin of patio¹

C19: from Spanish: courtyard

Example Sentences

A distressed Thomas banged on his grandmother's car window and she found Mr Bush on the patio outside.

From BBC

Like Saben’s handprints in the concrete patio outside the studio, Hsiao’s own wildly creative imprint is clear in the whimsical vessels that line the shelves of the former two-car garage: from long-beaked toucan pitchers and owl juicers to Japanese daruma wishing dolls and Venus of Willendorf lady tiki cups.

From Los Angeles Times

Yost tried to escape to the house patio, but was shot in the head.

From Los Angeles Times

Mrs Burton then found a wounded Mr Bush on the patio outside the property and she began to give him CPR.

From BBC

We’re sitting on the patio of a Beverly Hills hotel restaurant, trying to stay out of the sun.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• balcony
• courtyard
• deck
• veranda