# Valley

/ˈvæɫi/ (US) · /vˈæli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/valley
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. land between hills

noun · CEFR A2

a low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river at the bottom.

For teachers: an elongated depression in the earth's surface, usually between ranges of hills or mountains and often containing a stream.

- The small village was hidden deep in a green valley between two high mountains.
- The river winds through the fertile valley, providing essential irrigation for the agricultural communities settled along its banks.

### 2. drainage area

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the whole area of land where water flows into a specific river.

For teachers: the entire catchment area or basin drained by a particular river system.

- Pollution from the factories affected the entire river valley.
- Environmental scientists monitored the nitrogen levels across the entire valley to determine the impact of industrial runoff on the local ecosystem.

### 3. roof intersection

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the internal angle where two sloping sides of a roof meet.

For teachers: the internal angle formed by the intersection of two inclined roof surfaces, designed to channel water toward a gutter.

- Leaves often get stuck in the roof valley and cause leaks during heavy rain.
- The roofer carefully installed lead flashing in the valley to ensure the junction between the two gables remained completely watertight.

## Examples

- The village sits in a green valley.
- The hikers followed the river as it wound through the deep valley between the two peaks.
- The fertile valley floor provided an ideal environment for early settlements, offering both protection from the wind and a reliable source of fresh water from the mountain runoff.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.