Noun

Singular valley

Plural valleys

valley (plural valleys)

1. An elongated depression between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it.
2. The area which drains into a river.
3. Any structure resembling one, e.g., the meeting point of two pitched roofs.
4. The internal angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.

Hyponyms

• See also Wikisaurus:valley

Derived terms

• uncanny valley
• closed-cut valley
• open valley

In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.

The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys. Most valleys belong to one of these two main types or a mixture of them, at least with respect of the cross section of the slopes or hillsides.

Name

A valley in its broadest geographic sense is also known as a dale. A valley through which a river runs may also be referred to as a vale. A small, secluded, and often wooded valley is known as a dell, or in Scotland as a glen. A wide, flat valley through which a river runs is known in Scotland as a strath. A small valley surrounded by mountains is known as a hollow. A deep, narrow valley is known as a coomb (also spelled combe or coombe). Similar geological structures, such as canyons, ravines, gorges, gullies, and kloofs, are not usually referred to as valleys.