Word
schoolyard
Phoneticsschool·yard, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskuɫˌjɑɹd/
UK/skˈuːljɑːd/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an open area next to a school where children play and spend their breaks.
n. an open outdoor area adjoining a school, used for play, sport, and gathering during breaks.
Examples
“Children play football in the schoolyard every day.”
“During lunch break, the teachers watch the schoolyard while the children eat and play.”
“The old schoolyard, with its cracked pavement and faded lines, still holds memories of games that shaped friendships long after classes ended.”
Examples
simple
“Children play football in the schoolyard every day.”
contextual
“During lunch break, the teachers watch the schoolyard while the children eat and play.”
complex
“The old schoolyard, with its cracked pavement and faded lines, still holds memories of games that shaped friendships long after classes ended.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “schoolyard” in context.
Verb
01. clean schoolyard
“The students helped clean the schoolyard on Friday afternoon.”
verb + noun
02. cross schoolyard
“We crossed the schoolyard quickly to get to the gym.”
verb + noun
03. enter schoolyard
“Visitors must enter the schoolyard through the main gate.”
verb + noun
04. gather in schoolyard
“All classes gather in the schoolyard for morning assembly.”
verb + prep + noun
05. leave schoolyard
“Children cannot leave the schoolyard without permission.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. crowded schoolyard
“At break time, the crowded schoolyard was full of shouting children.”
adj + noun
07. empty schoolyard
“The empty schoolyard was quiet after all the children went home.”
adj + noun
08. large schoolyard
“Our school has a large schoolyard with space for football.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. corner of schoolyard
“They sat in the corner of the schoolyard to eat lunch.”
noun + prep + noun
10. across the schoolyard
“She ran across the schoolyard to catch her friends.”
11. at the schoolyard gate
“Parents wait at the schoolyard gate after school.”
12. gather in the schoolyard
“We gather in the schoolyard before school starts.”
Real-World Examples
“The schoolyard in southern Lebanon echoed with the squeals of playing children despite the beating sun and distant booms of Israeli airstrikes.” “Sounds of children playing came from a schoolyard next door.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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