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
Scott McFettridge, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up This year, there has certainly been adequate precipitation in New England, meaning the canopy is thick and full.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The reserve has its own zip-lining course amidst a canopy of mango and mahogany trees and is the starting point for the trek to the summit of Pic Paradis.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2023
In their native habitat, they can be found perched high above the ground: in a canopy of trees, on rocky cliffs, anchored to a cactus, or draped from the branches of a cypress or live oak.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023
Prior studies indicate that canopy shape and certain leaf characteristics — such as size and thickness — make some trees better adapted to cope with hotter temperatures.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2023
The custom bed canopy is in a Busatti linen with Samuel & Sons fringe, the antique Swedish chandelier is from John Derian, and the walls are painted in Churlish Green by Farrow & Ball.
—Bebe Howorth, ELLE Decor, 18 Aug. 2023
Judging by the view out of the glass canopy, the driver can more easily locate the front tires thanks to the positioning of the tall front fenders.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
That speaker system sat right next to the canopy occupied by Kimberly and Joe Howard of Sherwood.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2023
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
Guests at this hotel have access to a petite lazy river canopied by thatch palms.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes, 16 July 2023
The path was canopied by tall trees with prominent signs indicating the points where paths split.
—Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
Floors are rough-hewn timber planks, beds are canopied in diaphanous white cotton, and freestanding bathtubs are positioned to capitalize on the extraordinary scenery.
—Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2023
Look for beach umbrella canopies with a UPF rating of 50+ for the highest protection against the sun.
—Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
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Noun
Cedar Rapids has made the restoration of its tree canopy a priority since that storm, called a derecho, and will receive $6 million in funding through the new grants.
—Scott McFettridge, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
Enter Email Sign Up This year, there has certainly been adequate precipitation in New England, meaning the canopy is thick and full.
—Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023
The reserve has its own zip-lining course amidst a canopy of mango and mahogany trees and is the starting point for the trek to the summit of Pic Paradis.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2023
In their native habitat, they can be found perched high above the ground: in a canopy of trees, on rocky cliffs, anchored to a cactus, or draped from the branches of a cypress or live oak.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 1 Sep. 2023
Prior studies indicate that canopy shape and certain leaf characteristics — such as size and thickness — make some trees better adapted to cope with hotter temperatures.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2023
The custom bed canopy is in a Busatti linen with Samuel & Sons fringe, the antique Swedish chandelier is from John Derian, and the walls are painted in Churlish Green by Farrow & Ball.
—Bebe Howorth, ELLE Decor, 18 Aug. 2023
Judging by the view out of the glass canopy, the driver can more easily locate the front tires thanks to the positioning of the tall front fenders.
—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 5 Sep. 2023
That speaker system sat right next to the canopy occupied by Kimberly and Joe Howard of Sherwood.
—Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2023
Verb
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
Guests at this hotel have access to a petite lazy river canopied by thatch palms.
—Brittany Anas, Forbes, 16 July 2023
The path was canopied by tall trees with prominent signs indicating the points where paths split.
—Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 5 July 2023
Floors are rough-hewn timber planks, beds are canopied in diaphanous white cotton, and freestanding bathtubs are positioned to capitalize on the extraordinary scenery.
—Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2023
Look for beach umbrella canopies with a UPF rating of 50+ for the highest protection against the sun.
—Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English canope, from Medieval Latin canopeum mosquito net, from Latin conopeum, from Greek kōnōpion, from kōnōps mosquito
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1594, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of canopy was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing canopy
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 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on canopy
Nglish: Translation of canopy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of canopy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canopy
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