canopy

[ kan-uh-pee ]

/ ˈkæn ə pi /

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noun, plural can·o·pies.

a covering, usually of fabric, supported on poles or suspended above a bed, throne, exalted personage, or sacred object.

an overhanging projection or covering, as a long canvas awning stretching from the doorway of a building to a curb.

an ornamental, rooflike projection or covering.

Also called crown canopy, crown cover. the cover formed by the leafy upper branches of the trees in a forest.

the sky.

the part of a parachute that opens up and fills with air, usually made of nylon or silk.

the transparent cover over the cockpit of an airplane.

verb (used with object), can·o·pied, can·o·py·ing.

to cover with or as with a canopy: Branches canopied the road.

Nearby words

canoodle, canopic, canopic jar, canopied, canopus, canopy, canorous, canorously, canossa, canotier, canova

Origin of canopy

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

Related formssu·per·can·o·py, noun, plural su·per·can·o·pies.un·can·o·pied, adjective

Can be confusedcanapé canopy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for canopy

But the leaves and branches – the canopy it effectively creates -- is made up of solar panels.
Parks and Regeneration|The Daily Beast|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Smoke rises above the canopy as gentle chanting rumbles across the jungle floor.
What Made Mexico’s Most Mysterious Beach?|Brandon Presser|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After a while, it will seem natural to erect a canopy to shield the worshipers from the elements.
Think Twice About Jews On The Temple Mount|Edward S. Goldstein|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The two SUWU shorties opened fire on what they mistook for rival shorties in a park, huddled under a canopy during a rainstorm.
Never Mind El Chapo: Chicago’s Real Public Enemy No. 1 Is the Shorties|Michael Daly|February 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The stone that made the canopy was five yards and three quarters square, and carved round with a handsome cornice.
Early Travels in Palestine|Arculf et al.
In all that long quest of the canopy, Leah had never come so near fainting as now.
Ghetto Tragedies|Israel Zangwill
The reddish-yellow rays of their broad flames were darkened by the canopy, and scarcely revealed the invalid's face.
The Burgomaster's Wife, Complete|Georg Ebers
Upon the deck of this barge Queen Cleopatra appeared, under a canopy of cloth of gold.
History of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt|Jacob Abbott
But the canopy shut out the hot rays and rendered the interior of the boat cool and pleasant.
Rinkitink in Oz|L. Frank Baum

British Dictionary definitions for canopy

canopy

/ (ˈkænəpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

an ornamental awning above a throne or bed or held over a person of importance on ceremonial occasions

a rooflike covering over an altar, niche, etc

a roofed structure serving as a sheltered passageway or area

a large or wide covering, esp one high abovethe sky was a grey canopy

the nylon or silk hemisphere that forms the supporting surface of a parachute

the transparent cover of an aircraft cockpit

the highest level of branches and foliage in a forest, formed by the crowns of the trees

verb -pies, -pying or -pied

(tr) to cover with or as if with a canopy

Word Origin for canopy

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for canopy (1 of 2)

canopy

late 14c., from Old French conope "bed-curtain" (Modern French canapé), from Medieval Latin canopeum, dissimilated from Latin conopeum, from Greek konopeion "Egyptian couch with mosquito curtains," from konops "mosquito, gnat," of unknown origin. The same word (canape) in French, Spanish, and Portuguese now means "sofa, couch." Italian canape is a French loan word.

Word Origin and History for canopy (1 of 2)

canopy

c.1600, from canopy (n.). Related: Canopied; canopying.

canopy

noun, plural can·o·pies.

verb (used with object), can·o·pied, can·o·py·ing.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of canopy

Examples from the Web for canopy

British Dictionary definitions for canopy

canopy

noun plural -pies

verb -pies, -pying or -pied

Word Origin for canopy

Word Origin and History for canopy (1 of 2)

canopy

Word Origin and History for canopy (1 of 2)

canopy