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

In February, the Boise City Council moved to stem future development in the city’s Foothills, vowing not to annex land deeper into the canyons north of town. —Mark Dee june 11, Idaho Statesman, 11 June 2026

Then, in July 2024, a wildfire swept through the canyon, destroying buildings and damaging much of the landscape. —Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026

The 52,485-acre park, which sprawls over 82 square miles of high mesa, deep valleys and canyons, is the first home of today's Puebloan peoples. —Alia Beard Rau, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Completed only weeks ago, Genesee Fire Rescue has already used the route three times to assist on medical emergencies in the canyon. —Alan Gionet, CBS News, 10 June 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