From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
canyon
n : a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
[syn: canon]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Canon \Ca*[~n]on"\ (k[aum]*ny[-o]n"; anglicized k[a^]n"y[u^]n),
n. [Sp., a tube or hollow, fr. ca[~n]a reed, fr. L. canna.
See Cane.]
A deep gorge, ravine, or gulch, between high and steep banks,
worn by water courses. [Mexico & Western U. S.] [Also spelled
canyon.]
[1913 Webster +PJC]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Canyon \Can"yon\, n.
The English form of the Spanish word {Ca[~n]on}.
[1913 Webster]