Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Churchyard /chẽrch'-yärdˌ/ · Church·yard · IPA /ˈt͡ʃɝt͡ʃ.jɑɹd/ 01 n. The ground adjoining a church, in which the dead are buried; a cemetery. 1. The ground adjoining a church, in which the dead are buried; a cemetery. “Like graves in the holy churchyard.” — Shak. Syn. Burial place; burying ground; graveyard; necropolis; cemetery; God's acre.