valley

[val-ee]

noun

plural

valleys 

1. an elongated depression between uplands, hills, or mountains, especially one following the course of a stream.

2. an extensive, more or less flat, and relatively low region drained by a great river system.

3. any depression or hollow resembling a valley.

4. a low point or interval in any process, representation, or situation.

5. any place, period, or situation that is filled with fear, gloom, foreboding, or the like.

   the valley of despair.

6. Architecture.,  a depression or angle formed by the meeting of two inclined sides of a roof.

7. the lower phase of a horizontal wave motion.

valley

/ ˈvælɪ /

noun

1. a long depression in the land surface, usually containing a river, formed by erosion or by movements in the earth's crust

2. the broad area drained by a single river system

   the Thames valley

3. any elongated depression resembling a valley

4. the junction of a roof slope with another or with a wall

5. (modifier) relating to or proceeding by way of a valley

   a valley railway

valley

1. A long, narrow region of low land between ranges of mountains, hills, or other high areas, often having a river or stream running along the bottom. Valleys are most commonly formed through the erosion of land by rivers or glaciers. They also form where large regions of land are lowered because of geological faults.

Other Word Forms

• valleylike adjective
• intervalley noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of valley¹

1250–1300; Middle English valeie, valey < Old French valee, equivalent to val vale ( def. ) + -ee < Latin -āta, feminine of -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of valley¹

C13: from Old French valee, from Latin vallis

Example Sentences

In the last state elections in May 2022, the AfD polled just 5.4% in a region that is home to Germany's industrial heartland in the Ruhr valley and has suffered from steep job losses.

From BBC

The terrain was so rough in one part of the Mazar valley that one helicopter failed to land after three attempts, one Taliban source said.

From BBC

Yosemite is famous for its awe-inspiring valley, while Sequoia and Kings Canyon are known for their giant sequoia trees.

From Los Angeles Times

The valley missed out on the electrification programmes of the 20th Century.

From BBC

Uneven attendance patterns create peaks and valleys throughout the week, something managers say makes it difficult for them to provide a consistent experience for employees.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basin 
• canyon 
• gorge 
• lowland 
• plain