canal

1 of 2

noun

ca·​nal kə-ˈnal How to pronounce canal (audio)
Synonyms of canal
1
: a tubular anatomical passage or channel : duct
2
: channel, watercourse
3
: an artificial waterway for navigation or for draining or irrigating land
4
: any of various faint narrow lines on the planet Mars seen through telescopes and once thought by some to be canals built by Martians

canal

2 of 2

verb

canalled or canaled; canalling or canaling

transitive verb

: to construct a canal through or across

Synonyms of canal

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Noun

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Examples of canal in a Sentence

Noun the Panama Canal opened a much easier and shorter passageway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
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Noun
To conserve the canal's water resources, the Panama Canal may soon impose stricter vessel weight restrictions. — CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 With its iconic canals, Gothic architecture, Moorish windows, and artisan legacy spanning everything from Murano glass and Burano lace to terrazzo flooring, Venice is a design lover's paradise. — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 Authorities issued an Amber Alert, and Alejandro’s body was found the following day in a canal near the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club at Southwest 138th Court and 62nd Street. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Between the two canal-facing wings, a gorgeous garden is the perfect venue for aperitivi. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for canal

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin canalis pipe, channel, from canna reed — more at cane

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of canal was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing canal

Rhymes for canal

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Browse Nearby Words

canakin
canal
canalboat
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Cite this Entry

“Canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canal. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

canal

noun
ca·​nal
kə-ˈnal
1
: a tube-shaped bodily passage or channel : duct
2
: an artificial waterway for boats or for draining or irrigating land
3
: any of various faint narrow lines on the planet Mars seen through telescopes and formerly thought to be canals built by Martians

Medical Definition

canal

noun
ca·​nal kə-ˈnal How to pronounce canal (audio)
: a tubular anatomical passage or channel : duct see alimentary canal, Haversian canal, inguinal canal

More from Merriam-Webster on canal

Nglish: Translation of canal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canal

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