curtilage

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablelegaltechnical

   The area of land around a house that is used with it, such as a yard or garden.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable; you say 'the curtilage', not 'a curtilage'.

   Patterns

   • the curtilage of a property
   • within the curtilage

   The fence marks the curtilage of the property.

   The court decided that the shed was within the curtilage of the house.

   Owners are responsible for maintaining the curtilage.

2. 2noununcountablelegaltechnical

   In legal contexts, the enclosed area that is considered part of a building for legal purposes.

   Grammar: Used with 'the' or a possessive: 'the curtilage', 'its curtilage'.

   Patterns

   • part of the curtilage
   • include something in the curtilage

   The garage is treated as part of the curtilage.

   They argued that the parking area was not part of the curtilage.

   The law defines the curtilage as land closely connected to the house.

Common combinations

within the curtilage

The building is within the curtilage of the main house.

part of the curtilage

The garden is considered part of the curtilage.

the curtilage of the property

They planted trees along the curtilage of the property.

extend the curtilage

The new fence extends the curtilage to the road.

Synonyms and how they differ

grounds

'Grounds' is a more everyday word for the land around a large building; 'curtilage' is the precise legal term.

yard

'Yard' is common in everyday speech and usually means a small area; 'curtilage' is a legal concept covering the land used with a house.

Commonly confused: curtilage or curtain?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “curtilage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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