valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongated 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 of valley

• canyon
• ravine
• gorge
• glen
• hollow
• vale
• dale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises

Recent Examples on the Web

But the heat will gradually tick back up on Sunday, generally hovering in the 80s to lower 90s and potentially leading to heat advisories for some coastal and valley areas, according to the weather service. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Katharine stayed down in the valley. —Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2026

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026

The dining room opens to a deck overlooking the valley beyond. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026

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
• uncanny valley
• 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