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

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2025

Then on Sunday, the weather will shift further east and into the middle Mississippi Valley and portions of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, AccuWeather said. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025

Sunset Ranch Hollywood offers spectators a horseback ride to get a 360° view of Los Angeles, including the famous Hollywood Sign, the ocean and valleys. —Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025

Many of the famous Stellenbosch vineyards, including Tokara, Delaire Graff, and Jordan Wine Estate, offer picturesque views over the valley alongside winetastings and annual vineyard events. —Hillary Richard, AFAR Media, 24 Mar. 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