canopy

noun can·o·py \ ˈka-nə-pē \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of canopy

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

See canopy defined for English-language learners

See canopy defined for kids

Examples of canopy in a Sentence

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 of canopy from the Web

This nuisance brush beneath the tree canopy will be cleared and replaced with shade tolerant plants and grasses, Elliott said.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Concrete bed of Kinnickinnic River in Pulaski Park to be removed for recreational and safety upgrades," 7 May 2018
By the end of the year, the park will add a tree walk village where guests can walk in the tree canopy, a new kids playground and education area, a trampoline park, a new restaurant with a FlowRider, a surfing simulator, and zip lines.

— chabeli herrera, miamiherald, "Jungle Island wants to build a kid-friendly hotel. Is it enough to convince voters? | Miami Herald," 3 May 2018
These raptors -- unlike bald eagles or red-tailed hawks, which typically hunt in open fields or meadows -- do their hunting beneath the forest canopy.

— mike cason, AL.com, "Cavanaugh tops lieutenant governor poll; most undecided," 2 May 2018
Vineyard Drive and Adelaida Road wind through rolling hills and beneath an oak canopy festooned with Spanish moss.

— matt jaffe, Los Angeles Magazine, "Drinking Up the Local Flavor (and Wine) in Paso Robles," 30 Apr. 2018
Entry is by way of a wide-arched zip-open panel on one side of the canopy, which also has two interior storage pockets and an O-ring on the ceiling for hanging a light.

— judi dash, latimes.com, "These items help you find your stuff, ease your pain, make the cut and drift off to sleep," 23 Apr. 2018
Vendors must also supply their table, chairs and shade canopy, which does not exceed 10-feet-by-10-feet, per the website.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Sponsors, vendors and entrants sought for 'Poodles on Parade'," 20 Apr. 2018
In addition, these yellow-brown, half-inch long termites have attacked a wide range of other trees that constitute the region’s urban canopy, particularly live oaks.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Asian termites killing South Florida pine trees, weakening other trees for hurricanes," 14 Apr. 2018
The unique acoustic undersea environment is further compounded by the presence of a contoured, reflective ice canopy when submerged, according to the Defense Department.

— jim sciutto and zachary cohen, CNN, "Inside the US nuclear sub challenging Russia in the Arctic," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'canopy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of canopy

Middle English canope, from Medieval Latin canopeum mosquito net, from Latin conopeum, from Greek kōnōpion, from kōnōps mosquito

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

canopy Synonyms

Synonyms

awning, ceiling, cover, roof, tent;

Related Words

dome, marquee, pavilion;

arbor, bower, pergola;

screen, shade, shelter, shield, sunshade, umbrella;

canvas (also canvass), fly;

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

canopy

verb

Definition of canopy

canopied; canopying

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a canopy

Tall trees canopied the island.

Recent Examples of canopy from the Web

Dangling anime plushies, string lights and vintage flip phones canopy the ceiling.

— misty white sidell | wwd, latimes.com, "Uncovering Japan’s capital of hidden, indie boutiques," 24 Aug. 2017
The city’s mile-long beach is carpeted by bright towels and canopied by a pageant of umbrellas.

— julie besonen, New York Times, "Asbury Park: Where Art, Grit and Local Spirits Mix," 4 Aug. 2017
Carpeted by wheat fields and canopied by hardwood forests, the 23-square-mile island is easy to navigate, though first-time visitors might appreciate climbing Lookout Tower to get their bearings.

— kurt chandler, chicagotribune.com, "Scandinavian heritage, quirky charm await on winsome Washington Island," 30 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of canopy

see ¹canopy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1594

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CANOPY Defined for English Language Learners

canopy

noun

Definition of canopy for English Language Learners

: a piece of cloth that hangs over a bed, throne, etc., as a decoration or shelter
: something that hangs or spreads out over an area
: the highest layer of branches in a forest or on a tree