Waterway: meaning, definitions and examples

Add to dictionary

waterway

 

[ ˈwɔːtəweɪ ]

Context #1

transportation

A waterway is a navigable route for ships, boats, and other vessels to travel through. Waterways can include rivers, canals, lakes, and seas.

Synonyms

canal, channel, watercourse

Examples of usage

  • The Panama Canal is an important waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
  • The Erie Canal played a crucial role in the development of trade in the northeastern United States.
Context #2

geography

A waterway can also refer to a body of water that serves as a route for transportation or navigation.

Synonyms

water route, watercourse

Examples of usage

  • The Mississippi River is a major waterway in the United States.
  • The English Channel is a busy waterway for maritime traffic between the UK and France.

Translations

Translations of the word "waterway" in other languages:

🇵🇹 via navegável

🇮🇳 जलमार्ग

🇩🇪 Wasserweg

🇮🇩 jalur air

🇺🇦 водний шлях

🇵🇱 droga wodna

🇯🇵 水路

🇫🇷 voie navigable

🇪🇸 vía fluvial

🇹🇷 su yolu

🇰🇷 수로

🇸🇦 ممر مائي

🇨🇿 vodní cesta

🇸🇰 vodná cesta

🇨🇳 水道

🇸🇮 vodna pot

🇮🇸 vatnaleið

🇰🇿 су жолы

🇬🇪 წყლის გზა

🇦🇿 su yolu

🇲🇽 vía fluvial

Word origin

The term 'waterway' dates back to the 18th century and is derived from the combination of 'water' and 'way'. Waterways have been crucial for transportation and trade throughout history, allowing for the movement of goods and people across vast distances. From ancient rivers to modern canals, waterways have played a significant role in shaping the world's interconnectedness.

See also: water, waterbird, watercourse, watercraft, waterfall, waterfowl, waterfront, waterhole, waterlogged, watermelon, waterproof, waterproofing, watertight, waterways.