rift valley

noun

Synonyms of rift valleynext
: an elongated valley formed by the depression of a block of the earth's crust between two faults or groups of faults of approximately parallel orientation

Examples of rift valley in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The discovery is centered on the Diamantina Fracture Zone, which travels west from the southwesternmost tip of Australia into the Indian Ocean along a rift valley that formed some 50 million years ago, when the Down Under continent split from Antarctica. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 June 2026 For outdoor adventures, head to mountain towns like Whitwell, which offers paragliding opportunities near the unique rift valley, or Hartford, known for white-water rafting on the Pigeon River. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Valles Marineris is an enormous rift valley system on Mars that scientists want to scour for traces of liquid water, which may exist in sheltered niches and serve as an habitat for possible life. — Leonard David, Space.com, 31 May 2026 Near the equator of Venus lies Aphrodite Terra, a highland region spanning approximately half the size of Africa, characterized by rift valleys, ridges, and ancient lava flows. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rift valley

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rift valley was in 1894

Rhymes for rift valley

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Browse Nearby Words

rift-sawed
rift valley
Rift Valley fever
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Cite this Entry

“Rift valley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rift%20valley. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rift valley

noun
: a long valley formed by the sinking of the earth's crust between two parallel or nearly parallel faults or groups of faults

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