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

Sacramento and much of the valley will stay cool despite the sunshine, with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. — Ashley Nanfria, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

The film opens with Tenzing as a boy, gawking at Mount Everest, which looms across the valley like Godzilla. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Then a trip to the farmers market and local antique stores, a dip in the Delaware if weather permits, capped by an evening on the deck of the Tasting Room for taking in the unmatched golden hour on the valley. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026

What, for example, determines the topography of the hills and valleys? — Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 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