What Is A Patio?

So, I was at work, in a big warehouse. I was headed out to smoke, and thought I would try a certain door. But the door was rigged with an alarm, and I didn’t want to trip it. But as I was leaving the door, to go out the exit I normally used, I noticed a sign that used the word “patio”. Never in my time in Washington State did I hear anyone use the word “patio” to describe anything. It was a “Back porch” or a “front porch”.

So, I reached way back in my Texas vocabulary. I pulled out the word “patio” and applied it to the area behind, where I was going to smoke. But next to the door. Honestly, I have no idea why it is called a patio, though. Is it the cement block, that everything sits on that makes it into a patio? I know its not a gazebo. But, is it really a patio? Sorry, no pictures to show. You are going to have to use your imagination on this one. Just like I did. Ha ha. Well, thanks for reading my little ramble.