waterway

noun

wa·​ter·​way ˈwȯ-tər-ˌwā 

ˈwä-

1

: a way or channel for water

2

: a navigable body of water

Synonyms

• aqueduct
• canal
• channel
• conduit
• course
• flume
• racecourse
• raceway
• watercourse

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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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

In September 2021, the frigate HMS Richmond—deployed to the western Pacific with an aircraft carrier group—transited the waterway en route to Vietnam after operating in the East China Sea. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Situated between Iran and Oman, the Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 June 2025

They were first discovered in the Port of Stockton last October and have since proliferated across state waterways, sparking restrictions in Tahoe, Lake Folsom and other spots anxious to keep them out of the water. —Rebecca-Ann Jattan, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025

Not every beach or waterway in Florida is a pristine stretch of white beach. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2025

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