What does patio mean?
A patio is an open, usually paved area next to a house or other building, commonly used for eating, entertaining, or relaxing outdoors. It differs from a porch or veranda in being open to the sky and typically connected directly to the interior of the building. Patio doors may lead into the space, and patio furniture is designed for use there. In Spanish-influenced contexts and in parts of British English, a patio can instead mean an enclosed inner courtyard, often surrounded by the walls of a building. The word is widely used in North America, where homes may have a patio, a raised deck, or both. It can also suggest a leisure area rather than a place primarily intended for cooking or storage.
nounAn open paved area adjoining a house, usually used for dining, entertaining, or relaxation. In some regions, the word also refers to an inner courtyard, especially one in a Spanish-style building.
- An open paved area adjoining a house or other building, often furnished for outdoor meals or relaxation.
- An inner courtyard, especially in a Spanish-style or Mediterranean-style building.
"They set the table on the patio and ate outside beneath the lemon tree."
"The patio is shaded by a retractable awning during the hottest part of the day."
"A tiled courtyard, or patio, lies at the center of the old building."
The plural is formed by adding -s to patio.
"The house has two patios, one at the front and one behind the garden."
Patio entered English from Spanish, where it refers to a courtyard or an outdoor space associated with a building.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does patio come from?
Patio was borrowed into English from Spanish, in which patio means an inner courtyard or an open area associated with a building. The Spanish word is traditionally associated with Latin, although its exact historical development is not straightforward. English usage initially emphasized courtyards and later broadened to include outdoor areas adjoining houses, especially in North America.
How patio is actually used
In North American English, patio usually means a paved outdoor area attached to a home. In British English it can also refer to an inner courtyard, and the term is sometimes used broadly for an uncovered outdoor area associated with a house.