CANAL Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

canal

[ kuh-nal ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an artificial waterway for navigation, irrigation, etc.
a long narrow arm of the sea penetrating far inland.
a tubular passage or cavity for food, air, etc., especially in an animal or plant; a duct.
channel; watercourse.
Astronomy. one of the long, narrow, dark lines on the surface of the planet Mars, as seen telescopically from the earth.

verb (used with object)

canalled or canaled, canalling or canaling.

to make a canal through.

canal

/ ��əˈ��æ�� /

noun

an artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, water power, etc
any of various tubular passages or ducts
the alimentary canal
any of various elongated intercellular spaces in plants
astronomy any of the indistinct surface features of Mars originally thought to be a network of channels but not seen on close-range photographs. They are caused by an optical illusion in which faint geological features appear to have a geometric structure

verb

to dig a canal through
to provide with a canal or canals

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of canal¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English: “waterpipe, tubular passage,” from Latin ��, perhaps equivalent to can(na) “reed, pipe” ( cane ) + -�� -al ¹; canal def 5 a mistranslation of Italian canali “channels,” the term used by G. V. Schiaparelli

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of canal¹

C15 (in the sense: pipe, tube): from Latin �� channel, water pipe, from canna reed, cane ¹

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

An historic canal will be given an emergency water supply to stop it from running dry in days.

From

Already, progressives are highlighting her opposition to Venice Dell, a proposed affordable housing development near the Venice canals.

From

The water flows in aqueducts and canals to desert farmlands and cities from Palm Springs to San Diego.

From

Made up of volunteers, the group runs events along the canal and has fundraised to install planters, benches and signs.

From

The vice-president said targeting Houthi forces that are attacking vessels in the Suez Canal serves European interests more than the US, because Europe has more trade running through the canal.

From

Browse