plural canopies
1
a
: a cloth covering suspended over a bed
b
: a cover (as of cloth) fixed or carried above a person of high rank or a sacred object : baldachin
A canopy hung over the altar.
2
: an ornamental rooflike structure
3
a
: the transparent enclosure over an airplane cockpit
b
: the fabric part of a parachute that catches the air
canopied; canopying
: to cover with or as if with a canopy
Tall trees canopied the island.
Examples of canopy in a Sentence
Noun
A canopy hung over the altar.
trees line both sides of the garden path, with their foliage forming a leafy canopy for walkers
Recent Examples on the Web
Hayne Palmour Iv, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The yacht also has a sun canopy that can provide shade at anchor.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Of course, though, a tall and slender neck isn’t particularly helpful for the forest-dwelling okapi, whose skies are crapped by a dense overhanging canopy.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Available in beige and bright orange, this simple metal-frame chaise lounger is amply cushioned and has a weather-resistant canopy.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
In warm weather the ceiling over the top floor rolls back for the place to become an open-air deck beneath a canopy of patio lights.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
Midway through our 40-minute trek, rain started lashing the canopy of tamboril, mahogany, and ceiba trees.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
When Northwoods trees fade from the scene in the southern range, researchers worry that the migration of deciduous trees to replace them will happen far too slowly for healthy, continuous forest canopies to survive.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024
The canopies aren’t just to protect drivers from rain and snow.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024
Shady porches and hammocks in the garden, chaises near the river’s sandy beach and a long dock with chairs canopied with shade.
—Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
The bed is canopied with a canvas tarp, with a chandelier made from four flashlights hanging above.
—Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
This includes the magic carpet canopies over the beds and a divider, which separates a reading nook from the room, studded with acrylic and resin gemstones.
—Lia Picard, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023
Multiple layers are sown — from shrub to canopy — in a dense arrangement of about three to five plantings per square meter.
—Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
In 1986, the Art Deco Central Library was ravaged by fire, damaging or destroying more than 1 million volumes and leading to years of rebuilding and expansion, including the Mayor Tom Bradley wing that descends four flights and is canopied by a skylight and whimsical chandeliers.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Two days after major storm struck D.C., a slow recovery
While the commuter headache is coming to a close, crews were continuing to clear debris or loose limbs from trees — especially in areas where greenery is canopied over the road.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2023
The lawn is canopied by mature trees, while a lakeside pergola provides shade and a fire pit.
—Ashley Hays-Weaver, Dallas News, 21 July 2023
Noun
The trees will eventually grow to be around 40 feet tall, providing a tree canopy that will help the city of Del Mar achieve its climate goals.
—Hayne Palmour Iv, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
The yacht also has a sun canopy that can provide shade at anchor.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2024
Of course, though, a tall and slender neck isn’t particularly helpful for the forest-dwelling okapi, whose skies are crapped by a dense overhanging canopy.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
Available in beige and bright orange, this simple metal-frame chaise lounger is amply cushioned and has a weather-resistant canopy.
—Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2024
In warm weather the ceiling over the top floor rolls back for the place to become an open-air deck beneath a canopy of patio lights.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2024
Midway through our 40-minute trek, rain started lashing the canopy of tamboril, mahogany, and ceiba trees.
—Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
When Northwoods trees fade from the scene in the southern range, researchers worry that the migration of deciduous trees to replace them will happen far too slowly for healthy, continuous forest canopies to survive.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024
The canopies aren’t just to protect drivers from rain and snow.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
Verb
Ceanothus blooms bring on the bees, canopies host essential moths and butterflies, and birds find comfort in its cover.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024
Shady porches and hammocks in the garden, chaises near the river’s sandy beach and a long dock with chairs canopied with shade.
—Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
The bed is canopied with a canvas tarp, with a chandelier made from four flashlights hanging above.
—Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024
This includes the magic carpet canopies over the beds and a divider, which separates a reading nook from the room, studded with acrylic and resin gemstones.
—Lia Picard, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023
Multiple layers are sown — from shrub to canopy — in a dense arrangement of about three to five plantings per square meter.
—Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023
In 1986, the Art Deco Central Library was ravaged by fire, damaging or destroying more than 1 million volumes and leading to years of rebuilding and expansion, including the Mayor Tom Bradley wing that descends four flights and is canopied by a skylight and whimsical chandeliers.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Two days after major storm struck D.C., a slow recovery
While the commuter headache is coming to a close, crews were continuing to clear debris or loose limbs from trees — especially in areas where greenery is canopied over the road.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2023
The lawn is canopied by mature trees, while a lakeside pergola provides shade and a fire pit.
—Ashley Hays-Weaver, Dallas News, 21 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canopy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to canopy
Dictionary Entries Near canopy
Cite this Entry
“Canopy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canopy. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
canopy
1 of 2 noun
can·o·py
ˈkan-ə-pē 
plural canopies
1
a
: a covering over a bed, throne, or shrine or carried on poles (as over a person of high rank)
b
: awning
2
: a shade or shelter that hangs over something
especially
: the uppermost spreading layer of a forest
3
: the fabric part of a parachute that catches the air
canopy
2 of 2 verb
canopied; canopying
: to cover with or as if with a canopy
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share