Definition

1. Noun:
   • The grounds in back of a house: The area of land directly behind a house or other residential building, typically an outdoor space for private use.

Usage

• The word "backyard" is a singular, countable noun. It refers specifically to the private outdoor area attached to the rear of a dwelling.
• It is commonly used to describe a space for activities like gardening, playing, dining, or relaxing.
• Example: "We ate dinner in the backyard."
• Example: "The children's toys are scattered across the backyard."

Examples

• Noun:
  • They are having a barbecue in their backyard.
  • Our backyard gets a lot of sun in the afternoon.
  • The dog loves to run around the backyard.

Advanced Usage

• "In one's own backyard": An idiom meaning something is happening very close to home, either literally or figuratively, often implying it is a local or personal problem.
  • The issue of pollution isn't just somewhere else; it's happening in our own backyard.

Variants and Related Words

• Backyard can be written as one word ("backyard") or as two separate words ("back yard"), though the single-word form is more common in modern usage when referring to the area.
• Garden (UK English): In British English, "garden" is often used where American English uses "backyard" or "yard."
• Yard: A more general term for the ground around a house, which can include the front, side, and back areas.

Synonyms

• Rear yard: A more formal term with the same meaning.
• Garden (primarily UK): The area of ground near a house, often used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables.

Related Phrases

• Backyard barbecue: A social gathering involving cooking and eating food outdoors in a backyard.
• Backyard play set: A structure for children to play on, such as a swing set or jungle gym, installed in a backyard.

Related Idioms

• Not in my backyard (NIMBY): An expression describing opposition by residents to a new development (like a prison, homeless shelter, or factory) close to their homes, despite possibly acknowledging the project's broader necessity.
  • The community showed a classic NIMBY attitude, supporting the new power plant in theory but protesting when it was planned for their backyard.

Noun

1. the grounds in back of a house