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Canals Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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canals

[kəˈnælz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

water transportation

Artificial waterways constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships, typically connecting existing waterways or providing a navigable route where none existed before. Canals are often used for irrigation, transportation, or drainage.

Synonyms

aqueducts, channels, waterways.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canals

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
waterways

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
channels

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
aqueducts

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

Examples of usage

  • The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
  • The Erie Canal played a crucial role in the transportation of goods in the 19th century.
Context #2 | Noun

anatomy

Ducts or passages within the body that carry fluids, such as the ear canal or the root canal in a tooth.

Synonyms

duct, passage, tube.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canals

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.
tube

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.
passage

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.
duct

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.

Examples of usage

  • The ear canal helps to carry sound waves to the eardrum.
Context #3 | Noun

technology

In computer science, a channel for data transmission or communication between different components or systems.

Synonyms

channel, connection, link.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
canals

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
link

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
connection

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

Examples of usage

  • The Ethernet cable provides a canal for data transfer between the computer and the router.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The earliest known canals were built over 5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia for irrigation.
  • The Grand Canal in China, completed in the 13th century, is the longest and oldest canal in the world.
  • Canals were critical in the Industrial Revolution, allowing goods to be transported quickly and efficiently.

Engineering

  • Canals are often built with locks, which are structures that help boats move between different water levels.
  • The construction of canals often involves extensive surveying and civil engineering to navigate landscapes and maintain water flow.
  • The Panama Canal showcases advanced engineering, allowing ships to pass between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via a series of locks.

Economics

  • Canals significantly reduced transportation costs, making it cheaper to move heavy goods over land.
  • Many cities, such as Venice and Amsterdam, developed economically and culturally due to their extensive canal systems.
  • Today, canals are still vital for global trade, with many countries relying on them for efficient transport of goods.

Environment

  • Canals can help manage water supply and irrigation, especially in agricultural areas, promoting crop growth.
  • They can also affect local ecosystems, sometimes disrupting natural waterways and habitats.
  • In many regions, canals serve as habitats for a variety of plants and animals, contributing to biodiversity.

Culture and Recreation

  • Canals often play a central role in local culture, with festivals and events celebrated along their banks.
  • Today, many canals are enjoyed for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and walking along paths that run beside them.
  • In art and literature, canals symbolize connection and flow, often reflecting the movement of history and culture.

Origin of 'canals'

The word 'canal' originates from the Latin word 'canalis', meaning 'pipe' or 'groove'. The concept of canals dates back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, who built rudimentary canal systems for irrigation purposes. The development of sophisticated canal networks occurred during the Industrial Revolution, notably in countries like England and the United States, to facilitate transportation and trade. Canals have played a significant role in shaping the geography and economy of many regions around the world.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,919 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.