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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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

While the project employed 6,000 workers, funding ran out within three years as local critics began raising concerns about the disruption to Florida’s aquifer and waterways. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2026

The conflict has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway off the coast of Iran through which about 20% of the world's crude oil and natural gas typically passes. —Richard Hall, Time, 7 Mar. 2026

The shake-up is largely due to oil and the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that borders Iran and serves as a transit point for about a fifth of the world's oil supply. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026

The narrow waterway is the only way to enter or exit the Persian Gulf. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 7 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