valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongate depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains

b

: an area drained by a river and its tributaries

2

: a low point or condition

3

a

: hollow, depression

b

: the place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form on the plan a reentrant angle

Synonyms

• dale
• dene [British]
• hollow
• vale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises

Recent Examples on the Web

As in 2019, the BJP has no candidates running in the Kashmir valley, only in Jammu constituencies. —Fahad Shah, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2024

Southern California’s deep marine layer — likely stretching to the inland foothills and valleys Saturday — will be weakening, and highs in the valleys will reach into the upper 70s by Monday. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

All this explosive activity also triggered mudflows that traveled tens of miles down the river valleys leading from the volcano's many glaciers. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2024

In the city of San Jose, the country's capital located in the central valley, the cost of living is 46.6% lower than in New York, and rents are 83% lower. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valeye, borrowed from Anglo-French valee (early Old French valede), from val "valley" + -ee, noun suffix (here with augmentative force), going back to Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate entry 1 — more at vale

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing valley

• inter-valley
• lily of the valley
• rift valley
• San Joaquin valley fever
• valley fever

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains