valley

noun

val·​ley ˈva-lē How to pronounce valley (audio)
plural valleys
Synonyms of valleynext
1
a
: an elongated 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 of valley

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Examples of valley in a Sentence

the valley will be the first to flood if the river rises
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.
It is thought the disaster happened when a glacial collapse in the Himalayas sent rock, ice and meltwater into valleys below, triggering powerful floods downstream. — Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Inflation is part of the show, as across the valley floor, enormous envelopes lie crumpled in fields before fans slowly give them shape—then the burners start, sending pulses of orange through the fabric. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026 The possibility of finding survivors ​elsewhere ⁠was fading, authorities said, but there was no letup in rescue operations as teams scoured the mountainside along the border with China where floods tore through towns and valleys. — Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026 But the day after her last conversations with her family, catastrophic floods struck Nepal’s valleys along the Chinese border killing more than 1,000 people and leaving another roughly 3,900 unaccounted for, according to the Associated Press. — Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for valley

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of valley was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing valley

Rhymes for valley

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Browse Nearby Words

Valletta
valley
valley board
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Cite this Entry

“Valley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valley. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

valley

noun
val·​ley ˈval-ē How to pronounce valley (audio)
plural valleys
: an area of lowland between ranges of hills or mountains

More from Merriam-Webster on valley

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about valley

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