Waterway Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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waterway

[ˈwɔːtəweɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
waterway	Use this term for general references to navigable bodies of water, including rivers, canals, and other channels. It's a broad term used in both formal and informal contexts. The Mississippi River is a major waterway for transporting goods. Many cities developed around significant waterways.
canal	This term is best used for man-made waterways constructed for transportation, irrigation, or drainage purposes. It’s commonly used in both historical and modern contexts. The Suez Canal is a vital route for international shipping. They built a canal to redirect the river's water to the farms.
channel	This term refers to narrower bodies of water that lie between two land masses or paths taken by water or other fluids in a specific direction. It can be natural or artificial and is often used in geographic and nautical contexts. The English Channel separates England from France. Boats navigated carefully through the narrow channel.
watercourse	This term is often used in legal and environmental contexts to refer to any flowing body of water, such as rivers, streams, or brooks. It carries a slightly more technical or formal tone. The farmer was fined for diverting a watercourse without permission. Several species of fish thrive in the region's natural watercourses.

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 | Noun}

geography

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

Synonyms

water route, watercourse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
waterway	Typically used to refer to rivers, canals, or any navigable body of water used for travel or transport. The Panama Canal is a crucial waterway for international shipping. Pollution in the waterway has affected local wildlife.
watercourse	Commonly refers to the natural or artificial path for water, like rivers, streams, or drainage systems. The construction project had to be adjusted to preserve the natural watercourse. Heavy rains led to the watercourse overflowing its banks.
water route	Often describes paths taken over water for the purpose of travel, especially when outlining a specific journey or map. The captain plotted a new water route to avoid the storm. Merchants have been using this ancient water route for centuries.

Word

Description / Examples

waterway

Typically used to refer to rivers, canals, or any navigable body of water used for travel or transport.

The Panama Canal is a crucial waterway for international shipping.
Pollution in the waterway has affected local wildlife.

watercourse

Commonly refers to the natural or artificial path for water, like rivers, streams, or drainage systems.

The construction project had to be adjusted to preserve the natural watercourse.
Heavy rains led to the watercourse overflowing its banks.

water route

Often describes paths taken over water for the purpose of travel, especially when outlining a specific journey or map.

The captain plotted a new water route to avoid the storm.
Merchants have been using this ancient water route for centuries.

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

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

Origin of 'waterway'

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.