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

• canyon
• ravine
• gorge
• glen
• hollow
• vale
• dale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This will mainly be felt starting Monday night, when freezing low temps are likely across the western valleys and basins. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025

Joined by two other hikers, the group went toward a glacier valley and further up the mountain. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

Across the valley sat a two-story barn where caramel-colored and chestnut-spotted horses plus a storybook white one were lined up along the wooden fence. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025

Lots of people will likely be having that reaction at two upcoming nonprofit events that will feature a selection of mouthwatering dishes prepped by some of the valley’s top chefs. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for valley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains