Words / B1

k-uh-NAL/kəˈnæl/

A canal is a waterway built by people for boats or to carry water: a canal boat; canal towpath; the Panama Canal. A river is natural; a channel can be a strait or a TV station. UK cities such as Birmingham and Manchester are famous for canals. Canal boat holidays are a typical British leisure topic. Do not use canal for a small garden ditch — that is a drain or ditch.

Meaning

A long, narrow waterway made by people for boats or to carry water.

Examples

• “We walked along the canal in the afternoon.”
• “Cyclists share the canal towpath with walkers at weekends.”
• “Goods once travelled by canal boat between the factories and the ports.”

Good to know

canal boat / towpath. Built by people. Natural water: river. TV/strait: channel. Typical UK leisure topic.

Near in meaning

waterway

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