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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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

Across Europe, other historic objects have also been revealed this summer due to the record-breaking heat and crippling droughts hitting the continent’s waterways. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

The World Food Programme has estimated that disruption linked to the vital waterway could push 45 million more people into hunger. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Their old concrete, masonry, waterways, and modernized machinery connect early public-power ambitions to the needs of today’s grid. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Iranian officials said negotiations over future management of the Hormuz strait with Oman, which sits on the opposite shore of the waterway, are in their final stages. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for waterway

• aaa
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• axillae
• 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