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

Unlike much of California’s coastal range, which runs north to south, the Purisima Hills and Santa Rosa Hills form a channel that allows the full force of the Pacific Ocean’s marine layer and ocean breezes to traverse the valley corridors. —Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025

The Romans established Londinium just north of the river’s marshy valley after invading Britain in 43 C.E. Colossal wooden quays stood on the ancient settlement’s riverbank. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025

Durango sits tucked into a valley of the San Juan Mountains, hugging the long and strong Animas River. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 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