/ jɑːd; NAmE jɑːrd/ noun
1.
( BrE ) an area outside a building, usually with a hard surface and a surrounding wall :
the prison yard
The children were playing in the yard at the front of the school.
—see also backyard
2.
( NAmE ) = garden noun (1)
—see also backyard —picture at house
3.
(usually in compounds) an area of land used for a special purpose or business :
a boat yard
HELP NOTE : You will find other compounds ending in yard at their place in the alphabet.
➡ note at factory
4.
( abbr. yd ) a unit for measuring length, equal to 3 feet (36 inches) or 0.9144 of a metre
5.
( technical ) a long piece of wood fastened to a mast that supports a sail on a boat or ship
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IDIOMS
see inch noun , nine
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WORD ORIGIN
senses 4 to 5 Old English gerd (in sense 5), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch gard twig, rod and German Gerte .
senses 1 to 3 Old English geard building, home, region , from a Germanic base related to Russian gorod town. Compare with garden and orchard .