NYT Dictionary
CHURCHYARD
/ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ.jɑɹd/NounCHURCH-yardchurch-yard · 2 syllablesGrade 1
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
A patch of land adjoining a church, often used as a graveyard.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Inherited from Middle English chircheyerd (also kirkeyerd > English kirkyard), equivalent to church + yard. Compare also Middle English kurk-garth, kyrkgarth, kirrkegærd, from Old Norse kirkjugarðr (“churchyard; graveyard”). Replaced Middle English chirchetoun from Old English ċirictūn (churchtown).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
kirkyard
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: