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

Firefighters were deploying their shelters when flames overtook them in a steep canyon. — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Between the gold-medal trout streams winding through the valleys and the canyons beckoning whitewater boaters, the rivers of Colorado contribute $19 billion per year through recreation alone. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026

Flames crossed west over the Dolores River and made a push up the canyon and onto the rim, Operations Section Chief Toby Cook said in an update Saturday morning. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 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