yarding

yard ¹  (yärd)

n.

1. Abbr. yd. A fundamental unit of length in both the U.S. Customary System and the British Imperial System, equal to 3 feet, or 36 inches (0.9144 meter). See Table at measurement.

2. Nautical A long tapering spar slung to a mast to support and spread the head of a square sail, lugsail, or lateen.

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[Middle English yerde, stick, unit of measure, from Old English gerd.]

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yard ²  (yärd)

n.

1. A tract of ground next to, surrounding, or surrounded by a building or buildings.

2. A tract of ground, often enclosed, used for a specific business or activity.

3. An area where railroad trains are made up and cars are switched, stored, and serviced on tracks and sidings.

4.

a. A winter pasture for deer or other grazing animals.

b. An enclosed tract of ground in which animals, such as chickens or pigs, are kept.

v. yarded, yard·ing, yards

v.tr.

To enclose, collect, or put into or as if into a yard.

v.intr.

To be gathered into or as if into a yard.

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[Middle English, from Old English geard; see gher-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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yarding [ˈjɑːdɪŋ]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) a group of animals displayed for sale a good yarding