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

This is where an ice storm could hit in the US this weekend Wind alerts are in effect for gusts up to 50 or even 60 mph on Saturday through much of California’s northern and central valleys. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 14 Dec. 2024

Opus One 2013 Oakville Napa Valley Founded by Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillippe de Rothschild in 1978, Opus One was one of the first international collaborations in Napa Valley and one of the valley’s first cult wines. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 12 Dec. 2024

The valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties will remain under red flag warnings until 6 p.m. Wednesday, as critical fire weather persists in the region. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The warnings are set to remain through 6 p.m. local time for most valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 11 Dec. 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