Yard (yd)

Definition

The yard (symbol: yd) is a unit of length in the customary system, primarily used in the United States and the United Kingdom. One yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters.

History

The yard's origins date back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It was standardized in 1959 when an international agreement defined the yard as exactly 0.9144 meters. Prior to this, various definitions existed, including the use of the king's body as a reference.

Uses

Yards are commonly used in everyday life for measuring distances in sports (like football fields), textiles (fabric lengths), and real estate (property dimensions). The yard is prevalent in the U.S. and the U.K., though metric units are more common in scientific contexts.

Conversions

• 1 yard = 3 feet
• 1 yard = 36 inches
• 1 yard = 0.3333 yards (1/3 of a yard)

Fun Facts

• A common misconception is that a yard is related to the metric system, but it is strictly a customary unit.
• The yard is also used in nautical contexts, referring to a horizontal spar from which sails are set.