An area, open to the sky, partially or wholly surrounded by walls or buildings.
"The children played tag in the sunny courtyard enclosed by the old stone walls of the monastery."
In plain English: A courtyard is an open space surrounded by buildings on all sides, often found inside large houses or old cities.
"The children played tag in the sunny courtyard behind their house."
Usage: A courtyard refers specifically to an enclosed outdoor space within a building complex rather than just any garden or yard. Use this term when describing areas like those found in traditional houses, monasteries, or apartment blocks where structures surround the open ground on multiple sides.
The word courtyard is a straightforward combination of the words court and yard. It refers to an open space enclosed by walls or buildings, literally describing a yard that serves as part of a court.