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

It's described by the forest service as encompassing forested slopes, sandstone cliffs and narrow ravines. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2024

The Park Fire began July 24 at a park in Chico when a man pushed a burning car down a grassy ravine in 100-degree temperatures. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

Travelers on Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky, are surrounded by the massive Daniel Boone National Forest, dense with trees, hills, cliffs and ravines. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 11 Sep. 2024

On the island of Samos, a 74-year-old Dutch tourist was found by a fire department drone on Saturday lying face down in a ravine about 300 meters (328 yards) from the spot where he was last seen six days earlier, walking with some difficulty in the blistering heat. —Issy Ronald, CNN, 17 June 2024

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

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