col

noun

ˈkäl How to pronounce col (audio)
Definition of colnext
as in canyon
a narrow opening between hillsides or mountains that can be used for passage a remote col in the Alps

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of col Jacob Whitehead will, once again, be reporting from the roads, boulevards and cols of France, and The Athletic will be publishing daily takeaways after each stage. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 24 June 2026 After the days of hiking through dense foliage to reach the 9,900-foot Waddington-Combatant col, the climb to the summit felt straightforward by comparison. — Corbin Reiff, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2024 The sky was just getting light as the group put on their skis and headed for the Cabane des Vignettes—another alpine refuge, about six hours away, across high-alpine terrain filled with glaciers, cols, peaks, and magnificent slopes of unbroken snow. — Outside, 20 Sep. 2024 The highest point of the trail is at 3,008 feet, on a viewless col (the lowest point between peaks) off of Blue Mountain. — Jessica McKenzie, National Geographic, 16 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for col
  1. canyon
  2. ravine
  3. gorge
  4. valley
Noun
  • Scientists may have uncovered evidence of a colossal ancient cliff that stretched across much of North America and helped expose rocks now visible deep inside the Grand Canyon hundreds of millions of years before the modern canyon formed.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Step right off the property onto miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, or ride the complimentary gondola down to historic downtown for instant access to iconic box-canyon treks, cascading waterfalls and world-class fly fishing.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of canyon
Noun
  • Built into a natural ravine, the stadium’s site was used for ancient Greek athletic contests and later Roman spectacles before falling into centuries of disuse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Rising from near the Aegean coast to 9,573-foot Mytikas, Greece’s highest peak, the mountain encompasses forests, ravines, limestone cliffs, and alpine habitat with unusually rich plant diversity.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ravine
Noun
  • Riders pass waterfalls, deep gorges, alpine lakes, historic sites, and sweeping mountain views while climbing nearly 3,000 feet.
    — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Many routes through Orlias Gorge begin near Dion at the tiny chapel of Agios Konstantinos, followed by a short forest hike into the gorge.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of gorge
Noun
  • From gentle ridge walks with panoramic valley views to high-altitude summit pushes, every level of explorer is catered to.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Ahmad grew up in Kashmir, a region in India’s northwest abutting the Himalayas, replete with vast valleys, glassy mountain lakes, and purple iris and cyan forget-me-nots.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of valley

Browse Nearby Words

cokeheads
col
cold
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Cite this Entry

“Col.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/col. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on col

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about col

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