Canyoning

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. This adventure sport entails navigating through canyons using various techniques, which include climbing, swimming, hiking, and rappelling
2. This recreational activity involves traversing canyon environments by employing skills such as hiking, swimming, climbing, and descending
3. This outdoor pursuit consists of exploring canyons through activities such as swimming, hiking, climbing, and descending via ropes

Etymology: "Canyoning" is a plain formation: the noun "canyon" with the suffix "-ing" attached, the same ending found in words like "hiking" or "sailing." Its sense is the recreational activity of exploring canyons, usually by descending their rock walls, wading or swimming through their streams, and sliding down waterfalls. The base word "canyon" came into English from Spanish "cañón," meaning a tube or large pipe, which is also the source of "cannon" through a related path. The Spanish term was applied to deep river gorges in the American West, and English adopted it in that sense. Adding "-ing" turned the landform into a named pastime, so the word describes the activity more than the place.

Synonyms: canyoneering, rappelling, climbing, hiking, exploring