Canal Definition

kə-năl

canaled, canaling, canalled, canalling, canals

noun

canals

An artificial waterway for transportation or irrigation.

Webster's New World

A river artificially improved by locks, levees, etc. to permit navigation.

Webster's New World

Any of the long, narrow lines once perceived to be on the surface of the planet Mars as seen through earth telescopes: at one time thought by some to be actual canals but now known to be optical illusions.

Webster's New World

Any of various tubular passages or ducts.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

canaled, canaling, canalled, canalling, canals

To dig an artificial waterway through.

Canal an isthmus.

American Heritage

To build a canal through or across.

Webster's New World

To provide with an artificial waterway or waterways.

American Heritage

To dig an artificial waterway in or to (a place), especially for drainage.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
canalize
canalise

Other Word Forms of Canal

Noun

Singular:

canal

Plural:

canals

Origin of Canal

From French canal, from Old French canal, from Latin canālis (“channel; canal”), from Latin canālis (“canal”), from canna (“reed, cane”), from Ancient Greek κάννα (kanna, “reed”), from Akkadian (qanû, “reed”), from Sumerian (gi.na).

From Wiktionary
Partly French channel, and partly Middle English tube (from Medieval Latin canāle) both from Latin canālis tube, channel probably from canna small reed cane

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition