canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən 

variants or less commonly cañon

1

: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it

2

: something resembling a canyon

the city's concrete canyons

Synonyms of canyon

• ravine
• gorge
• valley

Examples of canyon in a Sentence

as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides

Recent Examples on the Web

The swimming hole can be reached by taking Highway 49 south to Old Foresthill Road at the bottom of the canyon. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 14, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Grand Staircase-Escalante consists of cliffs, canyons, natural arches and archaeological sites, including rock paintings. — ABC News, 13 July 2026

The trail winds around lakes, through vineyards, and to canyons. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

Many who rely on copper-wire landlines live in remote rural areas, but some also live in the hills and canyons of major metro areas like Los Angeles, where cell and internet service is patchy and the risk of natural disasters is high. — Jenny Jarvie follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish cañón, probably alteration of obsolete Spanish callón, augmentative of calle street, from Latin callis footpath

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for canyon

• anion
• banyan
• carbanion
• companion

Kids Definition

canyon

noun

can·​yon

variants also cañon

ˈkan-yən

: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it