canyon

¹

or ca·ñon

[ kan-yuhn ]

noun

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

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

Canyon

²

[ kan-yuhn ]

noun

1. a town in N Texas.

canyon

/ 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

canyon

/ 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of canyon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of canyon¹

C19: from Spanish cañón, from caña tube, from Latin canna cane

Example Sentences

Note: Semifinals in all divisions Saturday at higher seeds; finals in all divisions Nov. 19 at higher seeds; state finals in Divisions I & V Nov. 22 at Santiago Canyon College; finals in Open, II, III & IV Nov. 23 at Santiago Canyon College.

From Los Angeles Times

The McWaids watched in horror as flames jumped up the canyon and into their backyard, without warning.

From Los Angeles Times

Sierra Canyon believes if it had Edwards last season, it might have taken down Etiwanda.

From Los Angeles Times

Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon, 6-1, Jr.: Her aggressiveness and physicality makes her unique.

From Los Angeles Times

Emilia Krstevski, Sierra Canyon, 6-4, Jr.: She’s ready to use her size on offense and defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gorge
• gully
• ravine
• valley