noun
Common
canyon
KAN-yuhn
Canyon (noun) means a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved out by a river over a long time. Example: “The road winds along the edge of a deep, rocky canyon.”
noun
1
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved out by a river over a long time.
"The road winds along the edge of a deep, rocky canyon."
"The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years."
"They hiked down into the canyon at sunrise to beat the heat."
verb
1
Of water or another liquid, to cut a canyon-like channel as it flows.
"Over time the stream canyoned down through the layers of sandstone."
"The floodwater canyoned a steep channel across the valley floor."
"Meltwater had canyoned through the soft rock over centuries."
How to use canyon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, steep-sided valley cut by a river, like the Grand Canyon.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
deep canyon
canyon walls
hike a canyon
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Word forms
- Plural
- canyons
- Third person singular
- canyons
- Past tense
- canyoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The road winds along the edge of a deep, rocky _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish cañón — the same word gives us "cannon" (both trace back to a Latin word for a tube or pipe).
Related words
Rhymes for canyon
See all rhymes for canyon →Frequently asked questions
What does “canyon” mean?
The word “canyon” means a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved out by a river over a long time. In plain terms, a big, steep-sided valley cut by a river, like the Grand Canyon.
How do you pronounce “canyon”?
“Canyon” is pronounced KAN-yuhn (/ˈkænjən/ in IPA).
How do you use “canyon” in a sentence?
Here is “canyon” used in a sentence: “The Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years.”
What part of speech is “canyon”?
Depending on how it is used, “canyon” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “canyon” come from?
The word “canyon” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Spanish cañón — the same word gives us "cannon" (both trace back to a Latin word for a tube or pipe).
Is “canyon” a common word?
“Canyon” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “canyon” have?
“Canyon” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved out by a river over a long time.
What is the difference between a "canyon" and a "gorge"?
Both are deep valleys with steep sides, but a canyon is usually larger and wider, while a gorge tends to be narrower and rockier. The words overlap, and in some regions they are used interchangeably.
What is the difference between a "canyon" and a "valley"?
"Valley" is a general term for any low area between hills or mountains, whereas a "canyon" is specifically a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, usually carved by a river. Every canyon is a valley, but not every valley is a canyon.
What is the difference between a "canyon" and a "ravine"?
A ravine is a small, narrow, steep-sided valley, generally smaller than a canyon. A canyon is typically deeper and on a much grander scale, such as those cut by large rivers over long periods.
How is a canyon formed?
A canyon is usually carved out by a river over a very long time, as flowing water gradually cuts down through rock. This slow erosion produces the deep, narrow valley with steep sides that defines a canyon.
