valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongate 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

• 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

When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025

Targeting trees The Mediterranean oak borer (MOB for short) mostly attacks native oaks, particularly valley oak (Quercus lobata) and blue oak (Quercus douglasii). —James Campbell, Mercury News, 28 July 2025

Surrounded by the high-desert peaks and grassland valleys of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range, the gathering is known for its laidback, easygoing environment. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025

By July 30 or 31, a cold front is expected to help cool things in the Ohio valley region. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 July 2025

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
• 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