yard
YAHD
Yard (noun) means an outdoor area next to or enclosed by a building, often with a lawn or garden. Example: “The kids spent the whole afternoon playing in the back yard.”
noun
1
An outdoor area next to or enclosed by a building, often with a lawn or garden.
"The kids spent the whole afternoon playing in the back yard."
"She hung the washing out in the yard to dry."
"Our cat likes to sleep on the warm stones in the yard."
2
A fenced area used for a specific purpose, such as storage or livestock.
"The old railway yard was full of rusting freight cars."
"The builders kept their bricks and timber in a fenced yard behind the shop."
"Hundreds of old cars were stacked in the scrap yard."
3
A unit of length equal to three feet (about 0.914 metres).
"He measured out ten yards of fabric for the curtains."
"The goalkeeper stood about ten yards from the penalty spot."
"She needs another yard of ribbon to finish wrapping the gift."
verb
1
To confine an animal or vehicle to a yard.
"The cattle were yarded overnight before the market."
"The farmer yarded the sheep before the storm arrived."
"Please yard the horses by sunset so they stay safe overnight."
How to use yard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an enclosed outdoor space around a building, or the measurement unit (3 feet).
UK vs US
In UK slang, "the Yard" refers to Scotland Yard, headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
back yard
front yard
a yard of fabric
railway yard
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Word forms
- Plural
- yards
- Third person singular
- yards
- Past tense
- yarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids spent the whole afternoon playing in the back _____.
Etymology
From Old English ġeard ("enclosure, garden, fence"), from a very old Germanic root meaning "to enclose" — the same root that gives us "garden" and "garth."
Related words
Rhymes for yard
bayard
lanyard
vineyard
junkyard
backyard
farmyard
barnyard
shipyard
courtyard
graveyard
churchyard
schoolyard
See all rhymes for yard →
Frequently asked questions
What does “yard” mean?
The word “yard” means an outdoor area next to or enclosed by a building, often with a lawn or garden. In plain terms, either an enclosed outdoor space around a building, or the measurement unit (3 feet).
How do you pronounce “yard”?
“Yard” is pronounced YAHD (/ˈjɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “yard” in a sentence?
Here is “yard” used in a sentence: “The kids spent the whole afternoon playing in the back yard.”
What part of speech is “yard”?
Depending on how it is used, “yard” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yard” come from?
The word “yard” comes from Old English. From Old English ġeard ("enclosure, garden, fence"), from a very old Germanic root meaning "to enclose" — the same root that gives us "garden" and "garth.".
Is “yard” a common word?
“Yard” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “yard” have?
“Yard” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an outdoor area next to or enclosed by a building, often with a lawn or garden.
What is the difference between a yard and a garden?
In American English, a yard is the outdoor ground around a house, often grassed, while a garden is specifically where flowers or vegetables are grown. In British English, garden is used for the whole area that Americans call a yard. The difference is mainly one of region and usage.
What are the types of yards?
A front yard sits before the house, a backyard behind it, and a side yard along the side. Other kinds include a courtyard enclosed by walls, a schoolyard for pupils, and a farmyard around farm buildings. Each is an outdoor area linked to a particular building.
Is a yard also a unit of measurement?
Yes, but that is a separate meaning. A yard is also a unit of length equal to three feet, or about 0.914 metres, used for cloth, sport, and distance. This entry covers the other sense: an outdoor area next to or enclosed by a building.
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