Definition: A cubic yard (symbol: yd3) is a unit of volume in the Imperial and United States customary systems. It is the volume of a cube with sides one yard (0.9144 meters) in length.

History/origin: The cubic yard is derived from the yard, a unit of length that has historical roots in both England and other European countries. It was traditionally used for measuring cloth and land. The cubic yard evolved as a measure of volume based on this linear unit.

Current use: Cubic yards are primarily used in construction, landscaping, and excavation to measure large volumes of materials such as concrete, gravel, soil, and sand. It's commonly used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries that utilize the Imperial or US customary systems.