I. noun
also ca·ñon ˈkanyən
( -s )
Etymology: American Spanish cañón, probably alteration of obsolete Spanish callón, aug. of calle street, from Latin callis footpath; akin to Czech klanec mountain pass
1.
a. : a deep narrow valley with precipitous sides characteristic of regions where downward cutting of the streams greatly exceeds weathering : gorge
b. : a long deep steep-sided depression in the ocean floor typically on the continental shelf and opening out in a deep basin — called also submarine canyon ; compare deep , trench , trough
c. : a city street bordered on both sides by lofty buildings
the canyons of the financial district
2. : plum violet
II. verb
also cañon “
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to make a canyon in : pierce with canyons
intransitive verb
: to enter or flow into a canyon (as of a stream) : narrow into a canyon (as of a valley)