What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saleyard
Example
The farmer took his cows to the saleyard to sell them. [saleyard: noun]
Example
The auctioneer announced the bids at the saleyard. [saleyard: noun]
stockyard
Example
The cattle were kept in the stockyard overnight before being transported to the abattoir. [stockyard: noun]
Example
The rancher sorted the sheep into different pens at the stockyard. [stockyard: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stockyard is more commonly used than saleyard in North America, while saleyard is more common in Australia and New Zealand. However, both words are specific to the livestock industry and may not be commonly used outside of that context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between saleyard and stockyard?
Both saleyard and stockyard are technical terms used in the livestock industry and are therefore more formal than colloquial language. However, neither word is particularly formal or informal in tone.
