Main Entry: ¹chan·nel

Pronunciation: \ˈcha-n^əl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English chanel, from Anglo-French, from Latin canalis channel — more at canal

Date: 14th century

1 a : the bed where a natural stream of water runs b : the deeper part of a river, harbor, or strait c : a strait or narrow sea between two close landmasses d : a means of communication or expression: as (1) : a path along which information (as data or music) in the form of an electrical signal passes (2) plural : a fixed or official course of communication <went through established military channels with his grievances> e : a way, course, or direction of thought or action <new channels of exploration> f : a band of frequencies of sufficient width for a single radio or television communication g : channeler
2 a : a usually tubular enclosed passage : conduit b : a passage created in a selectively permeable cell membrane by a conformational change in membrane proteins; also : the proteins of such a passage — compare ion channel
3 : a long gutter, groove, or furrow
4 : a metal bar of flattened U-shaped section