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

Winds also were expected to gust as high as 90 mph across the Sierra crest and 30 mph in the Sierra valleys. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024

Storms remain in forecast for parts of the central US Meteorologists say the storms could continue to stir dangerous conditions across the Tennessee and Mississippi valleys on Friday, including torrential rain capable of triggering flash flooding in low-lying areas. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Israeli bombs were destroying houses and rocket-launch sites across southern Lebanon, in the Bekaa valley, and in Beirut; many of his friends had been killed or maimed. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024

Will Farley Little King Coffee has some of the best coffee and baked goods in the valley. —Will Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 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