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

That subtle and alluring mix includes a custom gray mohair rug by Augusta Hoffman Studio, gray plaster walls, and warmer Rose Uniacke textiles on the Roman shades, bed, and canopy. —David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

In lawns, take care not to mow too low, as this opens the canopy to seed establishment. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025

Verb

By arborist Rebecca Latta’s estimate, thousands of trees in Altadena have been tagged for removal: oaks, pines, sycamores, deodar cedars — trees that have canopied the town for decades. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025

Why Trust Travel + Leisure Lauren Breedlove is a traveler and beachgoer who knows the importance of finding the right beach umbrella or canopy for use everywhere from camping to a beach vacation. —Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 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