canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən 

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

Synonyms of canyon

• ravine
• gorge
• valley

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

Franklin Canyon Park Franklin Canyon Park was once a summer retreat for the Doheny family, who built a Spanish-style home at the base of the canyon in the 1930s. — Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Nizhuhe village lies more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) below the canyon rim. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Before these cliff rides, children had to do their best mountain goat impersonations and walk up and down precarious cliffside trails in this Yunnan province canyon. — New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026

The canyon preserve, where there are no homes, was put under an evacuation order. — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for canyon

• anion
• banyan
• carbanion
• companion

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