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

The best thing about it is that a little way in, the walk becomes a wade — or a swim — through the river that runs through the canyon. —Npr Staff, NPR, 18 Dec. 2025

Biffle saw the reflection out of the corner of his eye and decided a difficult landing in the canyon was worth trying. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025

At the Great Bend, the Yarlung Tsangpo is bound on two sides by the world’s deepest canyon, cut into a landscape of pristine forest flanked by mountains and designated one of China’s national-level nature reserves. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

Wind prone canyons along US-395 may see gusts up to 70 mph. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Dec. 2025

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