valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongated 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 of valley

• canyon
• ravine
• gorge
• glen
• hollow
• vale
• dale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The quicker melting changes the usual flow of water through valleys and into the lake, compounding the challenges. — Silvia Console Battilana, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

The researchers found a population deep in a Japanese mountain valley where left- and right-coiling snails can mate and exchange genes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Indeed, the architecture can respond to the landscape, framing the valley and adjacent mountains in whatever way best suits the owner’s vision. — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026

Highs in communities across the valleys and along the coast will be in the mid-80s to mid-90s, leading to a heat advisory. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

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
• uncanny valley
• valley fever

Rhymes for valley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains