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

But fall visitors can hike the park’s Borrego Palm Canyon Trail (3 miles round trip) or the narrow canyon known as The Slot. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

From the suburban towns across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Long Island to the teeming streets and office canyons of New York City, the 9/11 tragedy and its aftermath became uniquely intimate. — Mike Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

One of the men later fell and injured his knee, stranding the group in the steep canyon overnight. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Located at the end of Arizona’s Highway 67, the Grand Canyon Lodge welcomed travelers and was often their first sight in the park — even before the canyon itself, the NPS said. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 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