ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usually worn by running water

Synonyms

• canyon
• gorge
• valley

Examples of ravine in a Sentence

he urged his horse down into the ravine where there was a thin stream of water flowing

Recent Examples on the Web

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2025

The tracks turned left in single file, and went down into a little timbered ravine. —Fred C. Mercer, Outdoor Life, 14 Aug. 2025

Footage obtained by the Associated Press showed the tense, late-night rescue, with first responders racing to free the girl, thought to be around 1 years old, from an overturned vehicle that had plummeted nearly 50 feet into a ravine in the Chiang Mai Province. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Some trails already exist in parks that abut the ravines. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "torrent of water, gully formed by running water," going back to Middle French, "torrent of water," derivative of raviner "to run quickly, flow forcefully (of blood, water)," derivative of Old French ravine "violent force, momentum," going back to Latin rapīna "forcible carrying off of property, seizure and carrying off of a woman" — more at rapine

Note: See note at ravin.

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ravine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow valley with steep sides that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon