B2 noun Informal

boneyard

/ˈboʊn.jɑːrd/

A boneyard is a place where old, discarded, or obsolete items—typically large machinery like aircraft or vehicles—are stored or dismantled for parts. It is also an informal or regional term for a cemetery or burial ground.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The old tractor was finally hauled away to the local boneyard for scrap metal.

The old tractor was finally hauled away to the local boneyard for scrap metal.

2

Archaeologists uncovered a prehistoric boneyard containing the remains of several mammoths.

Archaeologists uncovered a prehistoric boneyard containing the remains of several mammoths.

3

My desktop is a boneyard of half-finished projects and corrupted files.

My desktop is a boneyard of half-finished projects and corrupted files.

Word Family

Noun
boneyard
Adjective
bony
Related
bone
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'yard' filled with the white 'bones' (the skeletons or frames) of old airplanes bleaching in the desert sun.

Quick Quiz

The company’s failed prototypes were all relegated to the technical _____, never to be seen by the public.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boneyard

Examples

1

The old tractor was finally hauled away to the local boneyard for scrap metal.

everyday

The old tractor was finally hauled away to the local boneyard for scrap metal.

2

Archaeologists uncovered a prehistoric boneyard containing the remains of several mammoths.

formal

Archaeologists uncovered a prehistoric boneyard containing the remains of several mammoths.

3

My desktop is a boneyard of half-finished projects and corrupted files.

informal

My desktop is a boneyard of half-finished projects and corrupted files.

4

The study examines the environmental impact of decommissioned naval vessels in the coastal boneyard.

academic

The study examines the environmental impact of decommissioned naval vessels in the coastal boneyard.

5

If we don't secure more funding, this entire initiative is headed for the corporate boneyard.

business

If we don't secure more funding, this entire initiative is headed for the corporate boneyard.

Word Family

Noun
boneyard
Adjective
bony
Related
bone

Common Collocations

aircraft boneyard a storage area for retired airplanes
digital boneyard a collection of obsolete software or data
car boneyard a place where old cars are kept for parts
project boneyard a metaphorical place for failed or cancelled tasks
massive boneyard a very large area used for discarding items

Common Phrases

sent to the boneyard

retired or discarded because it is no longer useful

a boneyard of ideas

a collection of concepts that were never implemented

raid the boneyard

to search through discarded items for useful parts

Often Confused With

boneyard vs junkyard

A junkyard is specifically for scrap metal and trash, while a boneyard often implies specialized storage for machines like planes or ships.

boneyard vs graveyard

Graveyard almost exclusively refers to human burials, whereas boneyard is more versatile and often refers to machines.

📝

Usage Notes

The term is frequently used in the aviation and military industries to describe storage facilities in dry climates where metal doesn't rust. Metaphorically, it can describe any place where failed or outdated things accumulate.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners might use 'boneyard' in a very formal eulogy for a person, which can sound slightly disrespectful or overly casual; 'cemetery' is preferred in solemn contexts.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'yard' filled with the white 'bones' (the skeletons or frames) of old airplanes bleaching in the desert sun.

📖

Word Origin

An American English compound word from 'bone' and 'yard,' appearing in the mid-19th century to describe cemeteries before expanding to industrial storage.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Commonly used in the singular when referring to a specific facility Plural: boneyards
🌍

Cultural Context

The United States Air Force maintains a famous 'Boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, which houses thousands of retired military aircraft.

Quick Quiz

The company’s failed prototypes were all relegated to the technical _____, never to be seen by the public.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boneyard

Related Words

anteruptism

C1

Describing the specific state, conditions, or period occurring immediately before a sudden rupture, eruption, or systemic failure. It is used to characterize the buildup of tension and the identifiable indicators that precede a significant disruption.

synputity

C1

Synputity refers to the state or quality of synthesized inputs being perfectly integrated and pure, resulting in a seamless and uncorrupted whole. It is often used in technical or philosophical contexts to describe the ideal blending of diverse data or elements into a single, cohesive entity.

extramercent

C1

A noun referring to a secondary or non-standard commercial transaction, typically one that occurs outside of regulated primary markets. In a test-prep context, it describes an ancillary payment or exchange used to facilitate trade in niche or informal economic sectors.

ultrasignless

C1

Describes something that is completely devoid of any identifying marks, symbols, or signals, often to an extreme or absolute degree. It refers to a state of total anonymity or lack of distinctive characteristics in a physical or semiotic sense.

inlocness

C1

To precisely identify, fix, or anchor an object or concept within its specific geographic or systemic location. It describes the active process of mapping or assigning a permanent place to something within a predefined framework.

devestation

C1

Devastation refers to widespread and severe destruction or damage to a place or object. It can also describe the state of extreme emotional shock, grief, or overwhelm felt by a person.

intranavize

C1

The systemic process or framework of internal navigation within a complex, closed-circuit digital environment or architectural structure. It refers specifically to the methodology used to move between non-public nodes or data points in a secure system.

exgenent

C1

Requiring immediate action or attention; pressing or demanding. It is often used to describe urgent circumstances or a person who is extremely demanding and exacting.

adpelent

C1

A technical or pseudo-word often appearing in lexical proficiency tests, referring to an agent or substance designed to drive away or repel unwanted elements. It follows Latin morphological patterns but is not found in standard modern English dictionaries, serving primarily as a distractor in linguistic assessments.

propassward

C1

A high-security, professional-grade authentication credential used primarily in digital proctoring and secure certification systems. It functions as an advanced passphrase that often integrates multi-factor verification to ensure the identity of a user during high-stakes testing or sensitive data access.

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