churchyard

[ church-yahrd ]

noun

1. the yard or ground adjoining a church, often used as a graveyard.

churchyard

/ ˈtʃɜːtʃˌjɑːd /

noun

1. the grounds surrounding a church, usually used as a graveyard

Word History and Origins

Origin of churchyard¹

1125–75; Middle English chirche yeard; church, yard ²

Example Sentences

A low mound near the churchyard was rumoured by folklore to have contained a giant skeleton, perhaps even Ivar himself.

From BBC

He pointed to the churchyard, where a memorial stone commemorates six Ukrainian soldiers killed in the battle for Lypivka.

From Seattle Times

During the day in Mekele, for instance, hyenas mostly stay hidden in remaining forest patches outside the city and around churchyards.

From National Geographic

As London’s population boomed, the private cemeteries were designed to solve overcrowding in existing churchyards.

From New York Times

Monarchs have the power to allow burials at churchyards where they are no longer permitted.

From BBC

Related Words

• garden
• graveyard
• mortuary
• tomb