SKIP TO CONTENT

patio

/ˌpædiˈoʊ/
/ˈpætiəʊ/
IPA guide

Other forms: patios

A patio is a space for sitting outside that's usually paved. Your neighbors' patio might be paved with bricks and decorated with flowers in pots.

Some patios are paved with stone or concrete slabs that together form a sort of outdoor floor. You can also call this area a terrace, verandah, or courtyard. A patio is usually located beside or behind a house or apartment building, although some public buildings also have patios — a restaurant might have a patio for outdoor seating, for example. Patio means "court open to the sky" in Spanish, from the Old Provençal pati, "communal pasture."

Definitions of patio
  1. noun
    usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
    synonyms: terrace
    see moresee less
    types:
    solar trap, suntrap
    a terrace or garden oriented to take advantage of the sun while protected from cold winds
    type of:
    area
    a part of a structure having some specific characteristic or function
Pronunciation
US
/ˌpædiˈoʊ/
UK
/ˈpætiəʊ/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘patio'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family