Definition of "coulee" [cou•lee]

• Western U.S. A deep gulch or ravine with sloping sides, often dry in summer. (noun)
• Louisiana & Southern Mississippi A streambed, often dry according to the season. (noun)
• Louisiana & Southern Mississippi A small stream, bayou, or canal. (noun)
• Upper Midwest A valley with hills on either side. (noun)
• A stream of molten lava. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I wondered about the word coulee in the old song: "... they feed in the coulees and water in the draws ...""
• "The cowpunchers pays 'em an afternoon call, an 'suggests that the air outside the coulee is a lot healthier for sheep -- an' sheepmen -- an 'that onless they makes up their minds to depart, an' to make that departure a record-breaker for speed, they'll make their relatives sure a heap mournful."
• ""Now, this coulee, which is the scene of these here operations, is so located that there's only one way out."