channelize
verb
chan·nel·ize
ˈcha-nə-ˌlīz 
channelized; channelizing
Examples of channelize in a Sentence
channelized all of his resources into winning that state's crucial primary
Recent Examples on the Web
When work began, parts of the Creek had been fully channelized, other portions covered by development, others existing as nothing more than trash and weed choked trickles.
—
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Those changes include channelizing the bay in some places and transforming it into dunes and marshland in others.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
The statement is in effect until 8 p.m. Caught in a rip: How to stay safe
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
As a response to this, in the 1960s, the city added more concrete, channelizing the river in the hopes of getting runoff away from neighborhoods to Lake Michigan as fast as possible.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Wild Los Angeles Los Angeles is a city of nearly 3.9 million people, with a heavily urbanized landscape that’s epitomized by its vast network of freeways and a mostly tame and channelized Los Angeles River.
—Discover Magazine, 15 June 2024
Austin and San Antonio have dammed, altered, channelized, buried and otherwise manipulated their creeks and rivers.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Mar. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Those changes include channelizing the bay in some places and transforming it into dunes and marshland in others.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025
The statement is in effect until 8 p.m. Caught in a rip: How to stay safe
Rip currents are channelized currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
As a response to this, in the 1960s, the city added more concrete, channelizing the river in the hopes of getting runoff away from neighborhoods to Lake Michigan as fast as possible.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Draining wetlands and channelizing the Sprague River to enable cattle ranching and agriculture has taken its toll on the region.
—Debra Utacia Krol, The Arizona Republic, 12 Oct. 2024
Wild Los Angeles Los Angeles is a city of nearly 3.9 million people, with a heavily urbanized landscape that’s epitomized by its vast network of freeways and a mostly tame and channelized Los Angeles River.
—Discover Magazine, 15 June 2024
Austin and San Antonio have dammed, altered, channelized, buried and otherwise manipulated their creeks and rivers.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 13 Mar. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Channelize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/channelize. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
channelize
verb
chan·nel·ize
ˈchan-ᵊl-ˌīz
channelized; channelizing
1
2
: to straighten by means of a channel
channelize a stream
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share