plural patios
Synonyms of pationext
1
: courtyard
especially : an inner court open to the sky
2
: a recreation area that adjoins a dwelling, is often paved, and is adapted especially to outdoor dining

Examples of patio in a Sentence

there's a patio in the center of the apartment complex
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Glass doors open onto a patio, overstrung with prayer flags, a hot tub, a thin strip of lawn, and a dock. — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Cocktail-style gatherings where guests mingle and stand have become more common than seated dinners, which changes what a patio needs. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026 Restaurants and patios make room for a break between appointments and a reason to stay into the evening. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 Mikkelson’s Market became a go-to spot for Anderson and her neighbors to share news over chicken biscuits and strong coffee on the patio on most weekends. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for patio

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of patio was in 1764

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Patio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patio. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

patio

noun
plural patios
1
: courtyard
especially : an inner court open to the sky
2
: an often paved recreation area next to a dwelling

More from Merriam-Webster on patio

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster