backyard

American  

[bak-yahrd] / ˈbækˈyɑrd /

noun

1. the portion of a lot or building site behind a house, structure, or the like, sometimes fenced, walled, etc.

2. a familiar or nearby area; neighborhood.

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Etymology

Origin of backyard

First recorded in 1650–60; back ¹ + yard ²

Explanation

The area behind your house, especially if it's covered in grass or other plants, is a backyard. Some people have decks or patios in their backyard. If you live in a city, you'll consider yourself lucky to have a tiny backyard where you can sit on a sunny day. In the suburbs, houses often have identical, fenced-in backyards. And in the country, your backyard might extend for acres. The word is sometimes hyphenated, back-yard, or spelled as two separate words. It's been in use since the 1600s, combining back and yard, from the Old English geard, "enclosure, garden, or court."

Example Sentences

This means community gardens, rooftops, canal banks, sports fields and backyard streets could be part of building the interconnected hub of urban wildlife, according to the organisers, Initiative Earth.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The sea breeze rustled the leaves of a palm as we talked in her small backyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

The dwelling is located on a lush 1.32-acre tree-lined plot, with the natural foliage that surrounds the home helping to add an extra layer of privacy, creating an oasis-like environment in the backyard.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

A massive sinkhole nearly 30 feet deep swallowed his backyard, coming within 3 feet of the house.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

She put it in a box full of warm towels, and inside the box she placed a little saucer of banana pieces and some dead grubs Ob had dug out of the backyard for it.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

Related Words

• courtyard
• garden
• grass
• lawn
• patio
• terrace
• yard