canalled or canaled; canalling or canaling
: to construct a canal through or across
Synonyms
Examples of canal in a Sentence
Noun
the Panama Canal opened a much easier and shorter passageway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2024
Potential changes include the amount of concrete versus green space on properties and how dirty the water pouring into canals and waterways is allowed to be.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Researchers can also use images to track the species and numbers of fish in the city’s canals.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In February, Vogel published a book of poetry about the canal and the changing area around it.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024
The 76-year-old took a 1,000-mile journey by canal boat and carriage to Cincinnati for the occasion.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2024
One man, who stole material that contained plans for canal and road signs, has since been arrested, according to French media reports.
—Rick Noack, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
The lawsuit alleges the business is discharging an unpermitted amount of phosphorus through canals and ditches, making its way to the Lac Courte Oreilles lake.
—Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024
The canal will be brightest when the dyes are first introduced and will wear off within a couple of days.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Police, neighbors and volunteers did an extensive search of the surrounding neighborhood in the weeks that followed, including combing a small canal called Sand Creek that ran behind the apartment complex as well as portions of the Boise River.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 5 Apr. 2024
Potential changes include the amount of concrete versus green space on properties and how dirty the water pouring into canals and waterways is allowed to be.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Researchers can also use images to track the species and numbers of fish in the city’s canals.
—Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In February, Vogel published a book of poetry about the canal and the changing area around it.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2024
The 76-year-old took a 1,000-mile journey by canal boat and carriage to Cincinnati for the occasion.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2024
One man, who stole material that contained plans for canal and road signs, has since been arrested, according to French media reports.
—Rick Noack, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024
The lawsuit alleges the business is discharging an unpermitted amount of phosphorus through canals and ditches, making its way to the Lac Courte Oreilles lake.
—Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024
The canal will be brightest when the dyes are first introduced and will wear off within a couple of days.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'canal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing canal
Dictionary Entries Near canal
Cite this Entry
“Canal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canal. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
canal
noun
ca·nal
kə-ˈnal
1
: a tube-shaped bodily passage or channel : duct
2
: an artificial waterway for boats or for draining or irrigating land
3
: any of various faint narrow lines on the planet Mars seen through telescopes and formerly thought to be canals built by Martians
Medical Definition
canal
noun
ca·nal
kə-ˈnal 
: a tubular anatomical passage or channel : duct see alimentary canal, Haversian canal, inguinal canal
More from Merriam-Webster on canal
Nglish: Translation of canal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of canal for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about canal
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