valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē 

plural valleys

1

a

: an elongate 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

• dale
• dene [British]
• hollow
• vale

Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises

Recent Examples on the Web

Hezbollah was born in the early nineteen-eighties in the flat, sunburnt plains of this valley, in response to Israel’s invasion and occupation of Lebanese territory. —Rania Abouzeid, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024

What is a libertarian and does the set of ideologies really define the valley? —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

While History Park has buildings celebrating the culture of Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, African American and Vietnamese residents of the valley, there’s no Japanese representation. —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024

The local approach is to drive in, maybe grab a bite at the restaurant at the peak of the valley or find a spot to do a barbecue, then work your way back down. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing valley

• inter-valley
• lily of the valley
• rift valley
• San Joaquin valley fever
• valley fever

Kids Definition

valley

noun

val·​ley ˈval-ē 

plural valleys

: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains