A patio (/ˈpætioʊ/,[1] from Spanish: patio [ˈpatjo]; "courtyard", "forecourt", "yard", "little garden") is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a structure and is typically paved.[2] In Australia, the term is expanded to include roofed structures such as a veranda, which provides protection from sun and rain.[3] Pronunciation can vary in Australia as well: patty-oh is perhaps more common generally although payshee-oh may be used by older Australians. [4]