boneyard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, somewhat slangy.
Quick answer
What does “boneyard” mean?
A cemetery or burial ground, especially one seen as stark or unattractive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cemetery or burial ground, especially one seen as stark or unattractive.
A place where useless or discarded things (especially machines, such as old cars or aircraft) are stored or abandoned.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English; the extended, non-cemetery meaning is particularly AmE. In BrE, 'graveyard' is the more typical informal term for a cemetery.
Connotations
In AmE, it can be used humorously or with grim acceptance. In BrE, it sounds more distinctly American and can seem crass or overly direct when referring to a cemetery.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in AmE, especially in specific contexts like aviation (airplane boneyard) or automotive salvage.
Grammar
How to Use “boneyard” in a Sentence
the boneyard of + [noun phrase]in the boneyardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boneyard” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- The old fleet was boneyarded in the Arizona desert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like aviation salvage or automotive recycling.
Academic
Virtually never used in formal academic writing; 'cemetery' or 'burial site' is preferred.
Everyday
Used informally, often with grim humour or to describe a depressing sight.
Technical
Used in aviation/military contexts to refer to storage facilities for decommissioned aircraft (e.g., AMARG at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “boneyard”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “boneyard”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boneyard”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Confusing it with 'junkyard', which is for general trash, while 'boneyard' often implies similar, specific items (e.g., all cars).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be perceived as disrespectful or crass, especially by those in mourning. It's best used with caution or in clearly humorous contexts among familiar company.
A junkyard is a general place for discarded items and scrap. A boneyard typically implies a collection of similar, often large, obsolete items (like cars or planes), and carries a stronger metaphorical connection to death and abandonment.
Yes, in specialized American English (especially military/aviation jargon), it can mean 'to send to a storage facility for decommissioned equipment'.
No, it is much less common than in American English. The standard informal term for a cemetery in BrE is 'graveyard'. The extended, mechanical sense will be understood but recognised as an Americanism.
A cemetery or burial ground, especially one seen as stark or unattractive.
Boneyard is usually informal, somewhat slangy. in register.
Boneyard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊn.jɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊn.jɑːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[informal] push up daisies (in the boneyard)”
- “[slang] buy the farm (and end up in the boneyard)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a yard filled with BONES. It's not a pleasant garden; it's a stark place for the dead or for dead machines.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE FOR DISCARDED THINGS IS A CEMETERY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'boneyard' LEAST likely to be used?