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

Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Spread over six buildings set amidst a narrow redwood canyon, the property’s 20 accommodations each bear a unique footprint and name (Grandpa’s, Château Fiasco) with varying features such as woodstoves, private decks, and outdoor tubs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

Behind the wheel My seat time in the 21C VMax included a mix of city and highway miles, along with a run through the canyon roads of eastern Orange County that cut through the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Flames crossed west over the Dolores River and made a push up the canyon and onto the rim, Operations Section Chief Toby Cook said in an update Saturday morning. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 4 July 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