ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usually worn by running water

Synonyms

• canyon
• cañon
• col
• couloir
• defile
• flume
• gap
• gill [British]
• gorge
• gulch
• gulf
• kloof [South African]
• linn [chiefly Scottish]
• notch
• pass
• saddle

Examples of ravine in a Sentence

he urged his horse down into the ravine where there was a thin stream of water flowing

Recent Examples on the Web

California’s largest fire in 2024 started when a man pushed a burning car into a ravine near Chico. —Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024

Sheriff's deputies then responded to the scene, where she was found trapped at the bottom of a steep ravine in a wooded area. —Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2024

Secret Canyon Trail: The hike through Secret Canyon leads through a deeply forested ravine and some beautiful red rock narrows. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024

In the ensuing action, many Lakota men, women and children sought to escape via ravines that cut through the area. —Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "torrrent of water, gully formed by running water," going back to Middle French, "torrent of water," derivative of raviner "to run quickly, flow forcefully (of blood, water)," derivative of Old French ravine "violent force, momentum," going back to Latin rapīna "forcible carrying off of property, seizure and carrying off of a woman" — more at rapine

Note: See note at ravin.

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow valley with steep sides that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon