yards
English meaning: Yards
Definition
A small, usually uncultivated area adjoining or (now especially) within the precincts of a house or other building.
Example
“The finish line was only a few yards away when she stumbled.”
Another example: “The quarterback gained forty yards on a single play.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Plural of 'yard' in two senses: the unit of length (three feet; common in US measurement and American football, 'rushing yards'), and enclosed outdoor areas ('shipyards', 'railway yards'). Neutral. The sport and distance sense dominates the input's collocations.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'gierd' (a rod, measure of length) for the unit, and 'geard' (enclosure, dwelling) for the space; the two merged in spelling.
Synonyms
- enclosures
- courts
- compounds
- grounds
Related Words
- rushing
- tds
- touchdown
- scrimmage
- yardage
- kickoff
- punt
- interception
- rushed
- offense
Common Collocations
- a few yards
- hundred yards
- rushing yards
- yards of fabric
- total yards
- yards away
Word Forms
yard (n); yards (pl); yardage (n)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B