grand canyon national park: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Geographical, Touristic
Quick answer
What does “grand canyon national park” mean?
A large, federally protected area in the southwestern United States containing the immense Grand Canyon, a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, federally protected area in the southwestern United States containing the immense Grand Canyon, a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and major tourist destination known for its vast, layered geological formations, offering recreational activities like hiking, rafting, and scenic viewing. It also represents a significant concept in conservation and natural heritage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in the name itself. British English is more likely to use the definite article ('the Grand Canyon National Park') in some contexts, while American English often drops it ('We visited Grand Canyon National Park'). The park is an American geographical feature, so it is more frequently referenced in American contexts.
Connotations
For Americans, it connotes domestic tourism, national pride, and natural wonder. For British speakers, it often connotes a major, iconic destination for a holiday to the USA.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English due to domestic relevance.
Grammar
How to Use “grand canyon national park” in a Sentence
[Subject] visited Grand Canyon National Park.Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona.The guide explained the history of Grand Canyon National Park.We obtained a permit from Grand Canyon National Park.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand canyon national park” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The region was eventually grand-canyoned by millennia of erosion. (rare, metaphorical)
American English
- They plan to Grand Canyon the entire vacation. (informal, meaning 'to visit the park')
adjective
British English
- The Grand-Canyon-National-Park experience is unforgettable. (hyphenated attributive)
American English
- She works on Grand Canyon National Park policy. (attributive noun phrase)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Tourism operators offer packages to Grand Canyon National Park.
Academic
The stratigraphy exposed in Grand Canyon National Park provides a near-continuous record of the Paleozoic Era.
Everyday
We're planning a road trip to see Grand Canyon National Park next summer.
Technical
Grand Canyon National Park manages over 1.2 million acres of riparian, woodland, and desert ecosystems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand canyon national park”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand canyon national park”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand canyon national park”
- Incorrect article use: 'We visited the Grand Canyon National Park' (often considered less idiomatic in AmE).
- Misspelling: 'Grand Cannon National Park'.
- Using it as a common noun: 'There are many grand canyon national parks in the world.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'The Grand Canyon' is the physical geological feature—the canyon itself. 'Grand Canyon National Park' is the specific federal park that encompasses and protects a large section of that canyon and the surrounding land.
While you do not always need a reservation just to enter, it is highly recommended, especially for popular activities like camping, lodging within the park, mule rides, or rafting trips. Entry fees apply.
The latter, with capital letters. As it is the official proper name of a specific place, all major words are capitalised.
You can drive along the rim on roads like Desert View Drive and Hermit Road (seasonal restrictions apply), but there are no roads that cross the canyon itself within the park. To get from the South Rim to the North Rim by car is a 4-5 hour drive around the canyon.
A large, federally protected area in the southwestern United States containing the immense Grand Canyon, a deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.
Grand canyon national park is usually formal, geographical, touristic in register.
Grand canyon national park: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈkænjən ˌnæʃnəl ˈpɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈkænjən ˌnæʃ(ə)nəl ˈpɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Grand Canyon-sized gap (metaphorical for a vast difference)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GRAND parent (GRAND) telling a CANNY (CANY) ON (ON) story about a NATION's (NATIONAL) favourite PARK (PARK).
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE AS A CATHEDRAL / A MONUMENT TO TIME
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary legal status of Grand Canyon National Park?