channel
CHA-nuhl
Channel (noun) means a stretch of water connecting two larger bodies of water, or the deeper navigable path through a body of water. Example: “The narrow channel between the two islands is busy with ferries.”
noun
1
A stretch of water connecting two larger bodies of water, or the deeper navigable path through a body of water.
"The narrow channel between the two islands is busy with ferries."
"Fishing boats slipped through the deep channel as the tide came in."
"Ships followed the marked channel to avoid running aground."
2
A specific radio or television frequency, or a station broadcasting on it.
"My grandfather always keeps the television on his favourite channel."
"That channel shows old comedy programmes late into the night."
"She flicked through the channels looking for the news."
3
A means or route by which something (information, goods, communication) is transmitted.
"Social media is now an important channel for reaching younger customers."
"The charity uses several channels to get food parcels to families."
"Complaints should be sent through the proper channels."
4
A dedicated space for online conversation on a topic, such as on a messaging platform.
"Join the gardening channel if you want tips on growing tomatoes."
"Our class made a separate channel for homework questions and reminders."
"She posted the announcement in the team's Slack channel."
verb
1
To direct something along a particular path or toward a particular use.
"The council plans to channel more money into repairing local roads."
"A ditch was dug to channel rainwater away from the house."
"He channeled his frustration into finishing the project early."
How to use channel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA route, passage, or path for water, communication, or information to travel through — literal or figurative.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
TV channel
through official channels
channel your energy
the English Channel
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Word forms
- Plural
- channels
- Third person singular
- channels
- Past tense
- channelled, channeled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The narrow _____ between the two islands is busy with ferries.
Etymology
From Old French chanel, from Latin canalis ("groove, canal") — a doublet of "canal."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for channel
See all rhymes for channel →Frequently asked questions
What does “channel” mean?
The word “channel” means a stretch of water connecting two larger bodies of water, or the deeper navigable path through a body of water. In plain terms, a route, passage, or path for water, communication, or information to travel through — literal or figurative.
How do you pronounce “channel”?
“Channel” is pronounced CHA-nuhl (/ˈt͡ʃeə̯nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “channel” in a sentence?
Here is “channel” used in a sentence: “Ships followed the marked channel to avoid running aground.”
What is another word for “channel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “channel” include sound, strait, station and gutter.
What part of speech is “channel”?
Depending on how it is used, “channel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “channel” come from?
The word “channel” comes from Latin. From Old French chanel, from Latin canalis ("groove, canal") — a doublet of "canal.".
Is “channel” a common word?
“Channel” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “channel” have?
“Channel” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stretch of water connecting two larger bodies of water, or the deeper navigable path through a body of water.
What is the difference between a channel and a strait?
The terms overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably. Both are stretches of water linking two larger bodies, but a strait is typically narrow and connects two seas or oceans. 'Channel' is a broader word that can also mean the deep, navigable path ships follow through shallower water.
What is the difference between a channel and a canal?
A channel is a natural stretch or deep path of water, like the English Channel. A canal is an artificial waterway dug by people for shipping or irrigation, such as the Panama Canal. The key difference is that channels form naturally while canals are man-made.
What is an example of a channel?
The best-known example is the English Channel, the body of water separating England from France and connecting the Atlantic to the North Sea. On a smaller scale, the dredged channel marked by buoys in a harbour, showing boats the deep water, is the navigable sense of the word.
What are the types of channel in geography?
In the water sense there are two main ideas. One is a broad natural channel — a wide strait or arm of sea between two landmasses. The other is a navigable channel — the deeper path within a river, harbour, or shallow sea that is safe for boats to pass through.
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