waterway

noun

wa·​ter·​way ˈwȯ-tər-ˌwā 

ˈwä-

1

: a way or channel for water

2

: a navigable body of water

Synonyms of waterway

• canal
• aqueduct

Examples of waterway in a Sentence

the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal

Recent Examples on the Web

For nearly two decades, the health of this urban waterway has been tracked, and data show unusually high salt concentrations, which are likely negatively impacting the local ecosystem. —Cutter Martin, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026

The state also has an above average number of polluted waterways and more coal ash ponds — small, toxic water bodies near coal plants where poisonous refuse is discarded — than any other state. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026

She was being towed with another teen behind a 42-foot boat on a congested waterway off Key Biscayne on May 11, 2024. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

In addition, critics argue the law does little to stem balloon debris ending up in the Long Island Sound or the state’s other waterways. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for waterway

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

Kids Definition

waterway

noun

wa·​ter·​way ˈwȯt-ər-ˌwā 

ˈwät-

1

: a channel for water

2

: a body of water through which ships can travel