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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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

Tehran rejected the list and presented a five-point proposal that included reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the waterway. —ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026

The vital waterway usually handles a fifth of the world’s oil shipments and nearly a third of the world’s fertilizer trade. —Farnoush Amiri, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026

Warmer temperatures have extended the travel season for vessels traversing this waterway, with frozen routes carved out by polar icebreakers, and Russian and Chinese icebreakers dominating the region. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026

Any attacks on Red Sea shipping routes would disrupt traffic through the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for vessels bearing oil, gas and sundry goods to the Mediterranean Sea. —Samy Magdy, Fortune, 28 Mar. 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