canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən 

variants or less commonly cañon

1

: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it

2

: something resembling a canyon

the city's concrete canyons

Synonyms

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

Examples of canyon in a Sentence

as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides

Recent Examples on the Web

Book From $171 per night Crash Beside the Tennessee River in This Cozy Chattanooga Cabin with a Watchtower Soak up the Tennessee River Gorge’s grandeur from a pet-friendly waterfront cabin in the heart of this dramatic river canyon. —Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024

Still, an audience of about 30 gathered to sit and look out over the canyon. —Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024

The facade features terracotta bricks in shades that range from dark brown to almond, arranged in a pixelated gradient inspired by Georgia’s red canyons. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024

Those who don't have the proper tires or feel anxious about driving up the canyons are being asked to take public transportation or shuttles. —Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish cañón, probably alteration of obsolete Spanish callón, augmentative of calle street, from Latin callis footpath

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

canyon

noun

can·​yon

variants also cañon

ˈkan-yən

: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it