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.
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
canopied; canopying
: 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
Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
By safeguarding the caves and canopies and other habitats where animals congregate — or introducing buffers around those spots to further minimize human disturbance — that reduces stress considerably too.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024
The property extends beyond the deer fencing, with pathways meandering among the wooded terrain and under the canopies of the oak trees.
—Monica Lander, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
Enchanting architectural treasures—like this knot-oak canopy—appear throughout the grounds.
—Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The 2016 imagery showed that 25% the city land area was covered by tree canopy.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The tent also has a mesh canopy that zips shut, protecting you from bugs and unexpected drizzles in the process.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While a Rio garden at this scale would almost certainly face outward toward mountains and sea, here Duprat erased the city behind a canopy of cedro-rosa, sapucaia and cabreuva trees.
—Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The mountain canopies provide cool, forested areas for wildlife and are considered critical stepping stones for species to migrate in response to climate change and habitat degradation.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
The canopies aren’t just to protect drivers from rain and snow.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 30 Mar. 2024
By safeguarding the caves and canopies and other habitats where animals congregate — or introducing buffers around those spots to further minimize human disturbance — that reduces stress considerably too.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024
The property extends beyond the deer fencing, with pathways meandering among the wooded terrain and under the canopies of the oak trees.
—Monica Lander, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2024
Enchanting architectural treasures—like this knot-oak canopy—appear throughout the grounds.
—Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024
The 2016 imagery showed that 25% the city land area was covered by tree canopy.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024
The tent also has a mesh canopy that zips shut, protecting you from bugs and unexpected drizzles in the process.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While a Rio garden at this scale would almost certainly face outward toward mountains and sea, here Duprat erased the city behind a canopy of cedro-rosa, sapucaia and cabreuva trees.
—Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The mountain canopies provide cool, forested areas for wildlife and are considered critical stepping stones for species to migrate in response to climate change and habitat degradation.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 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
Phrases Containing canopy
Articles Related to canopy
Dictionary Entries Near canopy
Cite this Entry
“Canopy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canopy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
canopy
1 of 2 noun
can·o·py
ˈkan-ə-pē 
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
Nglish: Translation of canopy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of canopy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canopy
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