canal
The term describes a human-engineered environment designed to control the flow of water. It carries a connotation of industrial utility and strategic planning, evoking images of locks, concrete banks, and heavy barges. It is distinct from a river, which is a natural geological feature.
In medical contexts, the word refers to a tubular passage in the body, such as the ear canal. Here, the feeling shifts from industrial engineering to biological architecture, describing a narrow, protected corridor that transports air, fluid, or signals.
Countable when referring to specific man-made waterways or anatomical tubes.
Meanings
An artificial waterway constructed for navigation, irrigation, or drainage.
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Examples
The construction of the canal altered regional trade.