canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən How to pronounce canyon (audio)
variants or less commonly cañon
1
: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it
2
: something resembling a canyon
the city's concrete canyons

Examples of canyon in a Sentence

as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The couple had come up from their Sun City home in metro Phoenix in spring to shuttle rim-to-rim canyon hikers to their vehicles, hoping to escape the summer heat like many of their clients. Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 5 Oct. 2025 That means the night skies in and around Capitol Reef are especially protected from star-obscuring light, so this playground of cliffs, arches, and canyons has some of the best stargazing in the country. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025 To extend your exploration, locate a 3/4-mile trail just off the main boardwalk and take the 137 stone steps into the canyon and toward Little Falls (also known as Hippie Hole), a beloved swimming spot in the summertime. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025 Its image is painted on ancient Southwestern pottery and chiseled into prehistoric petroglyphs that line Texas canyons. Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for canyon

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish cañón, probably alteration of obsolete Spanish callón, augmentative of calle street, from Latin callis footpath

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of canyon was in 1834

Cite this Entry

“Canyon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canyon. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

canyon

noun
can·​yon
variants also cañon
ˈkan-yən
: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it

More from Merriam-Webster on canyon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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