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

In this landscape, valleys are where the system settles into comfortable, low-energy configurations, while peaks are high-energy configurations that are relatively unstable. — Quanta Magazine, 15 July 2026

The warning covers the valleys, mountains and inland portions of the coastal plain, where temperatures are expected to range from the 90s to as high as 110 degrees during the peak of the heat event Wednesday and Thursday. — City News Service, Daily News, 15 July 2026

If no alternative exists, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Wednesday and Thursday will be hotter, with temperatures in downtown Los Angeles reaching the middle to upper 90s and interior valleys reaching up to 110. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 14 July 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