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: channeler2 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 channel3: a long gutter, groove, or furrow4: a metal bar of flattened U-shaped section