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

About three-fourths of an inch was expected to fall over the North Bay coastal areas on Monday, while the North Bay valley areas might see up to half an inch in precipitation. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024

The road turned inland and ran through the shade of a valley in the hills. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Though fares tend to be on the pricier side, taking a taxi will save the hassle of navigating the island's twisting mountain highways and narrow valley passes, which are sure to send your blood pressure soaring. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

The Rim of the Valley corridor is generally said to include the mountains that encircle the San Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi and Conejo valleys. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 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