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 of ravine

• 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

An intention of the project is the restoration and stabilization of 61 acres of ravine and shoreline habitats. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Her remains were discovered in a ravine in White House, Tennessee, several months later. —Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026

Sapporo's residents are no less obsessed with onsen culture than other Japanese, as Elijah and I discovered during an overnight trip to Jozankei, which straddles a scenic ravine over the Toyohira River near Shikotsu-Tōya National Park, a 45-minute drive from central Sapporo. —Alex Halberstadt, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026

If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. —Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026

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