canyon
gb/kˈænjən/ us/kˈænjən/
B1
English
~ 5600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
deep valley with steep sides
A very deep and narrow valley with high walls of rock, usually with a river at the bottom.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] canyon
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "canyon" with the word "cannon" (a large gun) because they sound similar. Another mistake is using "canyon" for any valley; a canyon is specifically very deep and narrow, usually with steep rocky sides.
Synonyms
gorge (Often used in the same way, though a gorge can be wetter and is not especially associated with dry regions.)
|
ravine (Refers to a smaller, less dramatic deep narrow valley compared to a canyon.)
Antonyms
plain (A plain is a large area of flat land, the opposite of a deep, narrow valley like a canyon.)
Collocations
deep canyon
|steep canyon walls
|river canyon
|Grand Canyon
|canyon floor
|canyon rim
Themes
geography
|nature
|travel
|space
Examples
- We hiked along the edge of the canyon and looked down at the river far below.
- The helicopter flew over the canyon, giving us an incredible view of the steep red walls.
- Flash floods can rush through the canyon without warning during summer storms.
- Sunlight reached only the upper parts of the canyon, leaving the floor cool and dark.
- The small town sits at the entrance to a spectacular desert canyon.
Learner examples
- The river runs through a deep canyon.
- We drove down into the canyon to take photos.
- They camped at the bottom of the canyon.
- The walls of the canyon are very high.
- Tourists come to see the beautiful canyon.
Noun
C1
entity
2
narrow street between tall buildings
A city street with tall buildings close together, so it feels like a deep, narrow canyon.
Usage pattern:
an [adjective] canyon of [buildings]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always refers to a real natural canyon. In city contexts, it is a metaphor for a narrow street with very tall buildings on both sides.
Synonyms
street canyon (A more technical term used especially in urban planning and environmental studies for this kind of narrow street.)
Antonyms
open square (An open public space in a city contrasts with the enclosed, narrow feeling of an urban canyon.)
Collocations
urban canyon
|concrete canyon
|glass canyon
|street canyon
Themes
city
|architecture
|travel
|housing
Examples
- The skyscrapers formed a glass canyon that blocked most of the afternoon sun.
- Walking through the concrete canyon downtown, she felt very small among the towering offices.
- Wind speeds can increase dramatically in the urban canyon between these two towers.
Learner examples
- Tall buildings make this street feel like a canyon.
- The hotel is in a narrow canyon of glass towers.
- They filmed the car chase in a city canyon.
- Shops line the bottom of the concrete canyon.
- The noise echoes between the walls of the urban canyon.
Grammar
Dictionary form
canyon
IPA
GB/kˈænjən/
US/kˈænjən/
Syllables & stress
canyon (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (canyon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: canyon
- Plural: canyons
Word family
Forms
canyons
noun
Related words
canyoning
noun
canyoneering
noun
canyoneer
noun
Expressions
Grand Canyon
1/ɡɹˈænd kˈænjən/
fixed phrase
famous large canyon in Arizona
The very large and famous canyon in Arizona, USA, cut by the Colorado River and visited by many tourists.
Examples
- Visiting the Grand Canyon was the highlight of their trip to the United States.
- From the rim of the Grand Canyon, the view of the cliffs and the river is breathtaking.
- They booked a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon for sunrise.
slot canyon
1/slˈɑt kˈænjən/
fixed phrase
extremely narrow, deep canyon
A very narrow and deep canyon with high rock walls that are very close together, often found in desert areas.
Examples
- They squeezed through the slot canyon, sometimes turning sideways to fit between the walls.
- Flash floods make hiking in a slot canyon dangerous after heavy rain.
- The light in the slot canyon made beautiful patterns on the curved rock walls.
urban canyon
1/ˈɚbən kˈænjən/
fixed phrase
narrow city street with towers
A city street that is narrow and has many tall buildings on both sides, so it feels like a canyon.
Examples
- Strong winds whipped through the urban canyon between the skyscrapers.
- Traffic noise echoed up the walls of the urban canyon.
- Birds sometimes have trouble navigating through the urban canyon of downtown.