ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: 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

Synonyms of ravine

• canyon
• gorge
• valley

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

In 2024, Contra Costa County investigators searched a ravine and found the ladder Matthew Muller described using to climb into a family's house weeks after the March 2015 attack on Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn. —Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

The trees, lining the base of the ravine at the park’s narrow creek, have been turned to stumps and piles of branches. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026

Enter a ravine and follow gradual switchbacks to a small mesa at the top. —Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026

The ancient cave dwellings carved into the ravine called the sassi can be explored on foot for free — perfect for curious kids who love to climb and explore. —Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "torrent 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

Rhymes for ravine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow valley with steep sides that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon