: a secluded hollow or small valley usually covered with trees or turf

Examples of dell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Watson Lake: Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, or simply relax and take in the beautiful scenery around this stunning lake surrounded by ancient granite dells. Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025 Fractured and rounded by years of geological upheavals and exposure to the sculpting effects of weather, the dells are a cluster of nooks, crannies and blind curves interrupted by the course of Boulder Creek. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English delle; akin to Middle High German telle ravine, Old English dæl valley — more at dale

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dell was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Dell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dell. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

: a secluded small valley

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