canopy

[ kan-uh-pee ]

noun

, plural can·o·pies.

1. a covering, usually of fabric, supported on poles or suspended above a bed, throne, exalted personage, or sacred object.
2. an overhanging projection or covering, as a long canvas awning stretching from the doorway of a building to a curb.
3. an ornamental, rooflike projection or covering.
4. Also called crown canopy;. the cover formed by the leafy upper branches of the trees in a forest.
5. the sky.
6. the part of a parachute that opens up and fills with air, usually made of nylon or silk.
7. the transparent cover over the cockpit of an airplane.

verb (used with object)

, can·o·pied, can·o·py·ing.

1. to cover with or as with a canopy:

   Branches canopied the road.

canopy

/ ˈkænəpɪ /

noun

1. an ornamental awning above a throne or bed or held over a person of importance on ceremonial occasions
2. a rooflike covering over an altar, niche, etc
3. a roofed structure serving as a sheltered passageway or area
4. a large or wide covering, esp one high above

   the sky was a grey canopy

5. the nylon or silk hemisphere that forms the supporting surface of a parachute
6. the transparent cover of an aircraft cockpit
7. the highest level of branches and foliage in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees

verb

1. tr to cover with or as if with a canopy

Other Words From

• su·per·can·o·py noun plural supercanopies
• un·can·o·pied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canopy¹

1350–1400; Middle English canope < Medieval Latin canōpēum, variant of Latin cōnōpēum mosquito net < Greek kōnōpeîon bed with net to keep gnats off, equivalent to kṓnōp ( s ) gnat + -eion, neuter of -eios adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of canopy¹

C14: from Medieval Latin canōpeum mosquito net, from Latin cōnōpeum gauze net, from Greek kōnōpeion bed with protective net, from kōnōps mosquito

Example Sentences

But the leaves and branches – the canopy it effectively creates -- is made up of solar panels.

From The Daily Beast

Smoke rises above the canopy as gentle chanting rumbles across the jungle floor.

From The Daily Beast

In Georgia, MARTA (the Metropolitan Atlantic Rapid Transit Authority) built a huge solar canopy at its bus depot in Decatur.

From The Daily Beast

Bulbs strung among branches in the overhead wild hibiscus tree form a radiant canopy.

From The Daily Beast

Overhead, a white canopy painted with brightly colored flowerpots tempers the rain and wind.

From The Daily Beast

The scarlet calico canopy was again set up over the bed, and the woven cradle, on its red manzanita frame, stood near.

From Project Gutenberg

The windows and dressing-table were covered with white muslin, and there was a canopy of the same above the little brass bedstead.

From Project Gutenberg

Servants entered with cushions, which they disposed round the foot of the throne and at the base of its canopy.

From Project Gutenberg

Coloured woollen stuff is hung over these, and a kind of canopy keeps off the sun.

From Project Gutenberg

The sovereigns embraced each other, and retiring under a canopy, had a long conversation, to which no one was a witness.

From Project Gutenberg