canyon

noun

can·​yon ˈkan-yən How to pronounce canyon (audio)
variants or less commonly cañon
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

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For a time from the late 1880s, Redondo Beach, with its steep, deep offshore canyon, did a brisk trade as a port for lumber to build L.A. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025 If your summer vacation plans include exploring sandstone canyons, watching wildlife or gawking at geothermal wonders, this may not be the year to do so at a national park. Ruffin Prevost, New York Times, 21 May 2025 The man, identified as Dennis Smith of Olympia, Washington, was attempting to hike from the canyon's South Rim to the North Rim, the park service said. Kerry Breen may 20, CBS News, 20 May 2025 Somehow, this hasn’t happened in San Diego, a city full of neighborhoods with homes adjacent to canyons and wooded areas. U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Canyon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canyon. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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