Residents grew anxious when they learned the new prison would be located in their 'backyard'. [=would be located near their homes]
For fun in the sun this summer, look no farther than your own 'backyard'. [='neighborhood']
We spent the evening relaxing in the 'backyard'.
(..) I remember when my daddy gave me that gun. He told me that I should never point at anything in the house... and that he'd rather l shoot at tin cans in the backyard. But he said that soon the temptation to go after birds would be too much... and that I could shoot all the bluejays I wanted... (..)1962 To Kill a Mockingbird