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

• 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

According to the paper, the vertical structure allows panels in the upper canopy to generate power while permitting sufficient light to reach the understory vegetation. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025

Riding the rails gives you time to slow down and look at the canopy’s changing hues, from chartreuse to crimson. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025

Verb

Pilot adventures include gorilla trekking in Uganda with wildlife ranger Denis Onyiko and his team, exploring rewilding efforts in Argentina, and uncovering biodiversity from coast to canopy in Costa Rica. —Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

The boutique property towers over the Lancang River (also known as the Mekong River) where Nushan Mountain and Biluo Snow Mountain meet, residing on fertile grounds canopied with lush walnut trees and winding grapevines. —Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 25 Aug. 2025

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