a tributary valley entering a main valley at a much higher level because of overdeepening of the main valley, esp by glacial erosion
hanging valley in American English
noun
1.
a valley, the lower end of which opens high above a shore, usually caused by the rapid erosion of a cliff
2.
a tributary valley whose mouth is set above the the floor of the main valley, usually as a result of differences in glacial erosion
Word origin
[1895–1900]This word is first recorded in the period 1895–1900. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Marxism, apothecaries' measure, backstage, frame of reference, freewheel
Examples of 'hanging valley' in a sentence
hanging valley
This produced a deep, wide hanging valley half a mile above sea level with mountain ranges on either side rising up to three miles high.