back yard
B1Informal, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
An area of ground at the rear of a house, usually enclosed, used for recreation, gardening, or leisure.
1. A space or sphere over which one has direct control or influence. 2. Figuratively, one's own local or immediate domain, often implying familiarity or a lack of external scrutiny.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term refers primarily to a domestic, private outdoor space attached to a house. It strongly connotes family life, relaxation, and domestic activity. Can be used figuratively to mean an area of local interest or influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the compound word 'backyard' is overwhelmingly the standard spelling. In British English, the two-word form 'back yard' is more common, though 'backyard' is also used, often for the figurative sense.
Connotations
In US English, 'backyard' is a central concept of suburban living (barbecues, pools, play sets). In UK English, 'back yard' often implies a smaller, paved urban space; a larger grassy area is more typically called a 'garden'.
Frequency
The term is significantly more frequent in American English, reflecting cultural emphasis on single-family homes with private outdoor space.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] + back yard (e.g., our back yard)the back yard of [place] (e.g., the back yard of the pub)in/into/from the back yardVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in one's own back yard”
- “not in my back yard (NIMBY)”
- “backyard barbecue”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figuratively: 'The company sees the domestic market as its own back yard.'
Academic
Rare. Used in sociology/urban studies: 'The suburban back yard as a site of gendered labour.'
Everyday
Very common: discussing homes, leisure, property features.
Technical
Used in real estate listings, architectural plans, and zoning regulations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- It was a classic back-yard cricket match.
American English
- They have a great backyard swimming pool.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children are playing in the back yard.
- We eat dinner in our back yard in summer.
- They're having a barbecue in their back yard this weekend.
- Our new house has a small but sunny back yard.
- The planning committee rejected the proposal, adopting a classic 'not in my back yard' attitude.
- He transformed his neglected back yard into a beautiful vegetable garden.
- The geopolitical strategy focused on stabilising the nation's back yard before projecting power abroad.
- The sociological study examined the back yard as a site for the performance of suburban identity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a house: the FRONT yard faces the street; the BACK yard is behind, where you 'go back' to relax.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOMESTIC SPACE IS A PRIVATE KINGDOM (e.g., 'rule over your own back yard').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'задний двор', which typically refers to a large farm/courtyard. Better equivalents: 'задний дворик' (small yard), 'сад за домом' (garden behind the house).
Common Mistakes
- Spelling it as one word in formal UK contexts (backyard vs. back yard).
- Using 'backyard' to refer to a large field or rural land.
- Confusing with 'back garden' in UK English (a back yard is often harder landscaped).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the figurative use of 'back yard' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Backyard' is standard in American English. 'Back yard' (two words) is more common in British English, though the closed form is gaining ground, especially for the metaphorical sense.
In British English, a 'garden' usually implies a planted, green space with lawns or flowerbeds. A 'back yard' often suggests a harder-surfaced, paved area, typically in a townhouse or terraced property. However, the terms are often used interchangeably in casual speech.
NIMBY stands for 'Not In My Back Yard'. It describes opposition by residents to a new development (like a prison, wind farm, or homeless shelter) in their local area, often while acknowledging such facilities are needed elsewhere.
Yes, figuratively. It can refer to any area considered to be within one's sphere of influence or immediate locality, e.g., 'Central America is often considered the US's back yard,' or 'The crime happened right in the police station's back yard.'