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In ecology, a canopy is the overhead shade and layers of foliage provided by trees and shrubs in forests and woodlands. A canopy may have many layers or may only be a single layer. The upper most layer in a forest is called crown canopy.
By extension, it also refers to the sportive way of ecotourists moving through parts of the mainly Southamerican forests in order to appreciate treelife at the upper level. The 'airpath' is linked by steel cables and has small platforms to rest or admire.
The transparent enclosure over the cockpit of an aircraft is also called canopy.
The lightweight cloth portion of a parachute is called the canopy.
The word "canopy" comes from the Greek 'Konopeion' which means "a bed with mosquito netting".