canopy

1 of 2

noun

can·​o·​py ˈka-nə-pē How to pronounce canopy (audio)
plural canopies
1
a
: a cloth covering suspended over a bed
b
: a cover (as of cloth) fixed or carried above a person of high rank or a sacred object : baldachin
A canopy hung over the altar.
c
: a protective covering: such as
(1)
: the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest
(2)
: awning, marquee
A canopy was erected over the grandstand.
2
: an ornamental rooflike structure
3
a
: the transparent enclosure over an airplane cockpit
b
: the fabric part of a parachute that catches the air

canopy

2 of 2

verb

canopied; canopying

transitive verb

: to cover with or as if with a canopy
Tall trees canopied the island.

Examples of canopy in a Sentence

Noun A canopy hung over the altar. trees line both sides of the garden path, with their foliage forming a leafy canopy for walkers
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The same is true of the physical production, which glistens in the reflection of a downstage water’s edge, below a canopy of A-frames and vertical fluorescent bulbs glowing like stationary falling stars (the set is by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, the lighting by Ben Stanton). Naveen Kumar, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Wind, rain, sleet, and snow can all hide sound and movement, while often putting game animals in predictable places, like the lee sides of hills or under a protective canopy. Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 It’s also got a sun canopy that attaches to the roof, which the carmaker says can be assembled, or taken down and stowed away, in minutes. Bloomberg, Fortune Asia, 10 Mar. 2024 In contrast, the expansive, private rooftop patio of The Jacquelyn’s penthouse at 1114 22nd St. offers views of the morning light and the city’s famous canopy of trees. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 The look of Southern California’s green canopies has changed significantly since the 1950s and 60s, when developers turned their noses up at native oaks and sycamores. Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Skateboards, scooters, bicycles, wagons, carts or any personal motorized vehicles Tents, canopies, or shade structures of any kind. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 Their owners remain hidden underneath, dry and out of sight, upstaged by their vivid canopies. Christian House, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024 The spot where the tents are set up on White Plaza is surrounded by other canopies, occupied by food stalls and other student organizations. Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
Ceanothus blooms bring on the bees, canopies host essential moths and butterflies, and birds find comfort in its cover. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 Shady porches and hammocks in the garden, chaises near the river’s sandy beach and a long dock with chairs canopied with shade. Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The bed is canopied with a canvas tarp, with a chandelier made from four flashlights hanging above. Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 This includes the magic carpet canopies over the beds and a divider, which separates a reading nook from the room, studded with acrylic and resin gemstones. Lia Picard, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2023 Multiple layers are sown — from shrub to canopy — in a dense arrangement of about three to five plantings per square meter. Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023 In 1986, the Art Deco Central Library was ravaged by fire, damaging or destroying more than 1 million volumes and leading to years of rebuilding and expansion, including the Mayor Tom Bradley wing that descends four flights and is canopied by a skylight and whimsical chandeliers. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023 Two days after major storm struck D.C., a slow recovery While the commuter headache is coming to a close, crews were continuing to clear debris or loose limbs from trees — especially in areas where greenery is canopied over the road. Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2023 The lawn is canopied by mature trees, while a lakeside pergola provides shade and a fire pit. Ashley Hays-Weaver, Dallas News, 21 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canopy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English canope, from Medieval Latin canopeum mosquito net, from Latin conopeum, from Greek kōnōpion, from kōnōps mosquito

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of canopy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near canopy

Cite this Entry

“Canopy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canopy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

canopy

1 of 2 noun
can·​o·​py ˈkan-ə-pē How to pronounce canopy (audio)
plural canopies
1
a
: a covering over a bed, throne, or shrine or carried on poles (as over a person of high rank)
b
: awning
2
: a shade or shelter that hangs over something
especially : the uppermost spreading layer of a forest
3
: the fabric part of a parachute that catches the air

canopy

2 of 2 verb
canopied; canopying
: to cover with or as if with a canopy

More from Merriam-Webster on canopy

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