yard

Definition

  • noun: an outdoor area that is next to a house and is usually covered by grass
  • noun: a small usually walled and often paved area open to the sky and adjacent to a building
  • verb: to drive into or confine in a restricted area
  • abbr. 'yd'.
  • synonyms: herd, court, barton

Examples

  • I served a huge Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie—'the whole nine yards'. [=all the foods that are traditionally served for Thanksgiving dinner]

  • If we're going to replace the cabinets, we might as well 'go the whole nine yards' [=do everything that there is to do] and remodel the entire kitchen.

  • a rail 'yard' [=a place where railroad cars are kept and repaired]

Movie quotes

  • (..) fucked by a train. And the library? Gone. Sealed off, brick by brick. We'll have us a little book barbecue in the yard. They'll see the flames for miles. We'll dance around it like wild Injuns. You understand me? Catching my drift? Or am I being obtuse? Give him another month (..)
    1994 The Shawshank Redemption
  • (..) One side in alabaster, one in soapstone. What do you think? I think it'll take years. Years I got. What I don't have are the rocks. Pickings are pretty slim in the yard. Pebbles, mostly. We're getting to be kind of friends, aren't we? Yeah, I guess. Can I ask you something? (..)
    1994 The Shawshank Redemption