Junkyard
/ˈdʒʌŋk.jɑːrd/noun
A place where discarded, worn-out, or wrecked items, especially vehicles, are stored.
Did you know?The word junkyard is a relatively modern compound, and the real hidden twist is that junk itself likely came into English from a maritime term for worn-out rope and rigging, not from the idea of random trash.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
junk
“Old rope, especially worn-out cordage; later, scrap or rubbish”
16th Century
English
junk
“Discarded odds and ends; useless material”
18th Century
English
junk
“Trash, refuse, or unwanted articles”
19th Century
English
junk yard
“A yard or storage area for discarded materials, scrap, or wrecked objects”
Modern English
English
junkyard
“A place where scrap, wrecks, or discarded items are kept”