Canyon

¹ American  

[kan-yuhn] / ˈkæn yən /

noun

1. a town in N Texas.

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canyon ² American  

[kan-yuhn] / ˈkæn yən /

Or cañon

noun

1. a deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream flowing through it.

   Synonyms:

   coulee, arroyo, gap, pass, ravine, gully, gorge

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canyon British  

/ ˈkænjən /

noun

1. a gorge or ravine, esp in North America, usually formed by the down-cutting of a river in a dry area where there is insufficient rainfall to erode the sides of the valley

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canyon Scientific  

/ kăn′yən /

1. A long, deep, narrow valley with steep cliff walls, cut into the Earth by running water and often having a stream at the bottom.

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Etymology

Origin of canyon

An Americanism first recorded in 1835–45; from Colonial Spanish (Mexico, southwestern U.S.), Spanish cañón “a long tube, a hollow,” equivalent to cañ(a) “tube” (from Latin canna cane ) + -on augmentative suffix

Example Sentences

The order targets leases and concessions in Topanga State Park, an 11,525-acre expanse of hills and canyons overlooking the Pacific Ocean that was home to several small businesses before the fire.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their work revealed 19 major groupings of valleys, streams, lakes, canyons, and sediment deposits.

From Science Daily

Year after year I would wonder, “What does that canyon look like today?”

From Los Angeles Times

Be aware of flood hazards wherever you live, but especially if your home is in a low-lying area or near water, canyons or near a recently burned hillside, Ready L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

A more moderate Santa Ana wind event typically funnels gusts through canyons, but isn’t powerful enough to climb mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gorge
• gully
• ravine
• valley