DictionaryravineSteep-sided valley
noun

ravine

ruh-VEEN/rəˈviːn/

A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.

The ravine has steep rocky sides above a narrow stream.

A deep narrow rocky ravine seen from a safe high overlook, two steep rugged walls plunge toward a thin stream far below, sparse trees cling to ledges, sunlight catches layered stone.
Etymology

Latin rapina meant “plundering”; the related French word also described rushing water, with its sense influenced by Latin rapidus, “rapid.” The name then applied to the deep gorge worn by that water.

In context

WSCS Sheboygan21:09
she was four-wheeling in the mountains in Colorado and uh the brakes started going out on the fourwheeler and they were headed for a deep ravine
Gallery Works 135

More examples

  • Several ravines cut the hillside.
  • They crossed the ravine.
  • The trail followed the ravine.

Forms

ravine · ravines

Similar words

gorge
Often a larger deep narrow valley.
gully
Usually a smaller channel cut by flowing water.