canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən How to pronounce canyon (audio)
variants or less commonly cañon
Synonyms of canyon
1
: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it
2
: something resembling a canyon
the city's concrete canyons

Synonyms of canyon

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Examples of canyon in a Sentence

as the scouts made their way through the canyon, they marveled at the sheer walls of rock on both sides
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026 There is a pleasant little trail from the test plot that goes through the canyon. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Prompted by Nan’s lament about their father’s empty casket and his own desire for posthumous reconciliation, Jay sets out to find his dad’s underwater remains near the edge of the canyon at Monastery Beach. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 The area is sparsely populated with private estates set atop hills or within canyons, making firefighting access difficult. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canyon

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish cañón, probably alteration of obsolete Spanish callón, augmentative of calle street, from Latin callis footpath

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of canyon was in 1834

Rhymes for canyon

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Browse Nearby Words

cany
canyon
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
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Cite this Entry

“Canyon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canyon. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

canyon

noun
can·​yon
variants also cañon
ˈkan-yən
: a deep narrow valley with steep sides and often with a stream flowing through it

More from Merriam-Webster on canyon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canyon

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