ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn How to pronounce ravine (audio)
: a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usually worn by running water

Examples of ravine in a Sentence

he urged his horse down into the ravine where there was a thin stream of water flowing
Recent Examples on the Web Although 10-year-old Amber Garrett lived in Harrison and according to prosecutors was taken from her bedroom, her body was found four miles away, in a wooded ravine across the border, in southeastern Indiana. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024 The edgy route twists through the forest dodging boulders and skimming ravines before encountering a gorgeous passage lined with aspen trees. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024 The city is not only positioned on the north shore of Lake Ontario, but sits at the intersection of two forest regions, the confluence of multiple migratory bird flyways and within a sprawling ravine system. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Cataract Canyon doesn’t have the scale or reputation of its sister gorge, the Grand Canyon, but this sky-reaching ravine should top any river trip list. Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ravine 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ravine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "torrrent of water, gully formed by running water," going back to Middle French, "torrent of water," derivative of raviner "to run quickly, flow forcefully (of blood, water)," derivative of Old French ravine "violent force, momentum," going back to Latin rapīna "forcible carrying off of property, seizure and carrying off of a woman" — more at rapine

Note: See note at ravin.

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ravine was in 1687

Dictionary Entries Near ravine

Cite this Entry

“Ravine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ravine. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ravine

noun
ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn How to pronounce ravine (audio)
: a small narrow valley with steep sides that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon

More from Merriam-Webster on ravine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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