valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē How to pronounce valley (audio)
plural valleys
Synonyms of valleynext
1
a
: an elongated depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains
b
: an area drained by a river and its tributaries
2
: a low point or condition
3
a
: hollow, depression
b
: the place of meeting of two slopes of a roof that form on the plan a reentrant angle

Synonyms of valley

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Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises
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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.
The magazine, which is celebrating 50 years as the leading voice in luxury, held an invitation-only gathering in the increasingly upscale mountain valley to spotlight this year’s top honorees. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2026 The device reproduced the fingerprint's tiny ridges and valleys, demonstrating an impressive spatial resolution of 30 micrometers (847 dpi). — New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026 Belying his long history as a Chamber of Commerce Republican, Husted ran through familiar tropes of right-wing populism, blaming Democrats exclusively for fifty years of the valley’s job losses. — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2026 The 50,000-acre working high-country sheep and cattle farm owned by the Wallis family is set deep within a dramatic glacial valley and is bordered by Mount Aspiring National Park near Lake Wanaka, one of the country’s largest lakes. — Luke Abrahams, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for valley

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valeye, borrowed from Anglo-French valee (early Old French valede), from val "valley" + -ee, noun suffix (here with augmentative force), going back to Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate entry 1 — more at vale

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of valley was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing valley

Rhymes for valley

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Browse Nearby Words

Valletta
valley
valley board
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Cite this Entry

“Valley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valley. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

valley

noun
val·​ley ˈval-ē How to pronounce valley (audio)
plural valleys
: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains

More from Merriam-Webster on valley

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about valley

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