canopy

1 of 2

noun

can·​o·​py ˈka-nə-pē 

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.

c

: a protective covering: such as

(1)

: the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest

(2)

: awning, marquee

A canopy was erected over the grandstand.

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

canopy

2 of 2

verb

canopied; canopying

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a canopy

Tall trees canopied the island.

Synonyms

Noun

• awning
• ceiling
• cover
• roof
• tent

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

Noun

Milwaukee County Parks will plant 20 trees at South Shore Park on Friday to restore the county's tree canopy decimated by an invasive species of insect called the emerald ash borer. —Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024

Commonly, the interior surface is reflective, which enhances the efficiency of the lighting, especially to lower canopy leaves. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Oct. 2024

Verb

Herbal scents float profusely from 20-meter-long banks of terraced rosemary, thyme and mint—handy for the three-strong staff working the professional kitchen housed in a standalone glass building canopied in a darkness of trees. —Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Built in 1929, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home was surrounded by leafy landscaping, and fronted by a courtyard and fountain canopied by mature trees. —Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 15 Aug. 2024

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

Phrases Containing canopy

• canopy bed

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