valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongate depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains

b

: an area drained by a river and its tributaries

2

: a low point or condition

3

a

: hollow, depression

b

: the place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form on the plan a reentrant angle

Synonyms

• dale
• dene [British]
• hollow
• vale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, excessive heat watches and warnings were in place Tuesday for portions of the Pacific Northwest, the Southern Plains, the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley, the Ohio and Tennessee valleys and the Central Gulf Coast. —Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 16 July 2024

With parched deserts and deforested, flood-prone valleys, Afghanistan is deemed by researchers to be among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change. —Rick Noack, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

There’s a 10% chance of showers over the coasts and valleys of L.A. County. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2024

Apache Junction prides itself on our heritage as a rural area with a western flair, surrounded by some of the most beautiful outdoor recreational areas in the valley. —Kerria Weaver, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valeye, borrowed from Anglo-French valee (early Old French valede), from val "valley" + -ee, noun suffix (here with augmentative force), going back to Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate entry 1 — more at vale

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing valley

• inter-valley
• lily of the valley
• rift valley
• San Joaquin valley fever
• valley fever

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains