First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1yard
noun \ˈyärd\
Definition of YARD
1
a : a small usually walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent to a building : court b : the grounds of a building or group of buildings
2
: the grounds immediately surrounding a house that are usually covered with grass
3
a : an enclosure for livestock (as poultry) b (1) : an area with its buildings and facilities set aside for a particular business or activity (2) : an assembly or storage area (as for dry-docked boats) c : a system of tracks for storage and maintenance of cars and making up trains
4
: a locality in a forest where deer herd in winter
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Origin of YARD
Middle English, from Old English geard enclosure, yard; akin to Old High German gart enclosure, Latin hortus garden
Other Railroad Terms
2yard
adjective
Definition of YARD
1
: of, relating to, or employed in the yard surrounding a building <yard light>
2
: of, relating to, or employed in a railroad yard <a yard engine>
First Known Use of YARD
15th century
Other Railroad Terms
3yard
verb
Definition of YARD
transitive verb
2
: to deliver to or store in a yard
intransitive verb
: to congregate in or as if in a yard
First Known Use of YARD
1758
4yard
noun
Definition of YARD
1
: any of various units of measure: as a : a unit of length equal in the United States to 0.9144 meter — see weight table b : a unit of volume equal to a cubic yard
2
a : a great length or quantity <remembered yards of facts and figures> b slang : one hundred dollars
3
: a long spar tapered toward the ends to support and spread the head of a square sail, lateen, or lugsail
4
: a slender glass about three feet tall having a flared opening and a bulbous bottom; also : the amount it contains <a yard of ale>
— the whole nine yards
: all of a related set of circumstances, conditions, or details <who could learn the most about making records, about electronics and engineering, the whole nine yards — Stephen Stills> —sometimes used adverbially with go to indicate an all-out effort
Origin of YARD
Middle English yarde, from Old English gierd twig, measure, yard; akin to Old High German gart stick, Latin hasta spear
First Known Use: before 12th century
YARD Defined for Kids
1yard
noun \ˈyärd\
Definition of YARD for Kids
1
: an outdoor area next to a building that is often bordered (as by shrubs or fences) <Children played in the yard.>
2
: the grounds of a building <a prison yard>
3
: a fenced area for livestock <a chicken yard>
4
: an area set aside for a business or activity <a navy yard>
5
: a system of railroad tracks especially for keeping and repairing cars
2yard
noun
Definition of YARD for Kids
1
: a measure of length equal to three feet or 36 inches (about 0.91 meter)
2
: a long pole pointed toward the ends that holds up and spreads the top of a sail
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