ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usually worn by running water

Synonyms

• canyon
• cañon
• col
• couloir
• defile
• flume
• gap
• gill [British]
• gorge
• gulch
• gulf
• kloof [South African]
• linn [chiefly Scottish]
• notch
• pass
• saddle

Examples of ravine in a Sentence

he urged his horse down into the ravine where there was a thin stream of water flowing

Recent Examples on the Web

The Gorge is monitored by two snipers on annual rotations, each stationed on opposite sides of the ravine. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2025

These structures dot a ravine that functioned as a natural route between the nearby coast and other inland settlements, archaeologists said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025

The Rock Creek Loop traverses approximately seven miles of ravines, creeks, subtropical forest, and small footbridges. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025

Strong winds interact with the topography in dangerous ways, flowing down into ravines like the rushing waters of a mountain stream after heavy rains. —Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "torrrent of water, gully formed by running water," going back to Middle French, "torrent of water," derivative of raviner "to run quickly, flow forcefully (of blood, water)," derivative of Old French ravine "violent force, momentum," going back to Latin rapīna "forcible carrying off of property, seizure and carrying off of a woman" — more at rapine

Note: See note at ravin.

First Known Use

1687, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ravine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

ravine

noun

ra·​vine rə-ˈvēn 

: a small narrow valley with steep sides that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon