Canals: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for man-made waterways designed primarily for navigation or transportation. Canals are often found in cities or regions where ships or boats are used for transportation.

• The canals of Venice are famous around the world
• They built a new canal to connect the river to the industrial zone

A broad term that can refer to any significant navigable body of water. It encompasses rivers, lakes, oceans, and man-made canals used for transportation or communication.

• The country relies on its extensive waterways for internal trade
• Pollution is becoming a major issue in these important waterways

Refers to natural or man-made pathways that water flows through. Can be used broadly for any flowing water, including rivers, sea channels, and artificial pathways. Sometimes has a technical or engineering focus.

• The river has many deep channels suitable for large ships
• They dug a channel to drain the floodwaters

Used mostly in historical or engineering contexts for structures designed to transport water from one place to another, often over long distances.

• The ancient Romans built impressive aqueducts to bring water to their cities
• The modern aqueduct spans several miles, providing water to the valley

Often used to describe man-made water channels designed for navigation, transportation, or irrigation.

• The city is famous for its beautiful canals.
• The engineers are planning to dig new canals for irrigation.

Refers to a cylindrical container or structure, often used in the context of plumbing, science, or anatomy.

• He squeezed the toothpaste out of the tube.
• They inserted a tube to ensure proper drainage.

General term for any route or pathway, can be used metaphorically or literally. Suitable for literature or less specific contexts.

• The passage was dark and narrow.
• She read a passage from her favorite book.

Usually refers to tubes or passages within a structure or organism, often used in medical, biological, or building contexts.

• The air conditioning system uses ducts to distribute cool air.
• Bile flows through the bile duct to the intestine.

Referring to man-made waterways for navigation, irrigation, or drainage.

• The Venice canals are famous worldwide
• The city plans to build more canals to improve irrigation

Emphasizing a direct connection between two points, often used in context with internet addresses or relationships.

• Click the link to access the online survey
• They discovered a missing link in the evolutionary chain

Indicating a relationship or link between people, things, ideas, or events.

• There is a strong connection between exercise and good health
• She felt an immediate connection with her new coworker