Death Valley

American  

noun

1. an arid basin in eastern California and southern Nevada: lowest land in North America. About 1,500 square miles (3,900 square kilometers); 280 feet (85 meters) below sea level.

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Death Valley British  

noun

1. a desert valley in E California and W Nevada: the lowest, hottest, and driest area of the US. Lowest point: 86 m (282 ft) below sea level. Area: about 3885 sq km (1500 sq miles)

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Death Valley Cultural  

1. Desert valley in southeastern California and southwestern Nevada.

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The lowest point in North America — 282 feet below sea level.

Etymology

Origin of Death Valley

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Death Valley

The pair sought help by walking across the salt flats, before severe heat prevented the 68-year-old from continuing after 1.3 miles, according to the Death Valley National Park.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Formosa was driving through Death Valley with his French travelling companion last Monday when their vehicle became stuck in mud on West Side Road.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Death Valley, which lies about 200 miles northeast of Los Angeles, claims lives every year, despite repeated warnings from park authorities to plan ahead when travelling into such a hostile environment.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly conditions here can turn dangerous. Death Valley is an extraordinary place, but its heat, distances, and remoteness can be dangerous, regardless of experience.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

The heat of the kitchen staggered her, but then people from Death Valley would have keeled over in Grandma’s kitchen.

From "A Long Way from Chicago" by Richard Peck