as in aqueducts
an open man-made passageway for water
the Panama Canal opened a much easier and shorter passageway from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of canals
Delhi was designed around its banks in the 17th century, when the river fed the canals that cooled royal palaces.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
After the canals were finished, many settled in Mexicali and started restaurants and other small businesses in La Chinesca (Chinatown).
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Rainfall, irrigation and drainage can transport phosphorus – either dissolved in water or attached to eroded soil particles – into nearby canals, streams, rivers and lakes.
—Dinesh Phuyal, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
These joints were also designed to be lockable for bridging wide anti-tank ditches or canals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Fort Lauderdale offers a burgeoning food scene, several museums, 24 miles of beachfront, and gondola rides on the canals.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Over time, wastewater from these systems can seep into groundwater and nearby canals, rivers and coastal waters.
—Iuliia Istratiy, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Circle the City has five street medicine teams who provide care to unsheltered individuals in riverbeds, canals, alleys, and other community spaces.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
This design-forward beachfront hotel is the perfect outpost to explore the Venice Beach boardwalk, canals, and Abbot Kinney all while staying in chic urban style that the area has become known for.
—Krista Simmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
After the canals were finished, many settled in Mexicali and started restaurants and other small businesses in La Chinesca (Chinatown).
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Rainfall, irrigation and drainage can transport phosphorus – either dissolved in water or attached to eroded soil particles – into nearby canals, streams, rivers and lakes.
—Dinesh Phuyal, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
These joints were also designed to be lockable for bridging wide anti-tank ditches or canals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Fort Lauderdale offers a burgeoning food scene, several museums, 24 miles of beachfront, and gondola rides on the canals.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Over time, wastewater from these systems can seep into groundwater and nearby canals, rivers and coastal waters.
—Iuliia Istratiy, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
Circle the City has five street medicine teams who provide care to unsheltered individuals in riverbeds, canals, alleys, and other community spaces.
—Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
This design-forward beachfront hotel is the perfect outpost to explore the Venice Beach boardwalk, canals, and Abbot Kinney all while staying in chic urban style that the area has become known for.
—Krista Simmons, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for canals
Noun
-
The update will set rules for the Sacramento River and the rest of the Delta, where pumps operated by state and federal agencies send water flowing in aqueducts to farmlands and cities.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Ancient Origins reported that the researchers analyzed the carbonate incrustations, or the buildup in the city’s pipes, as well as deposits in the aqueducts and water towers built later on.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The tree’s seeds are spread by their floating fruit, according to Mattus, which can make their way down waterways.—
Jennifer Lobb,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
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In the past, iguanas have been seen falling out of trees, and alligators appeared motionless in frozen waterways.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Canals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/canals. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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