n. & v.
n. 1 a a length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas, esp. seas. b (the Channel) the English Channel between Britain and France. 2 a medium of communication; an agency for conveying information (through the usual channels). 3 Broadcasting a a band of frequencies used in radio and television transmission, esp. as used by a particular station. b a service or station using this. 4 the course in which anything moves; a direction. 5 a a natural or artificial hollow bed of water. b the navigable part of a waterway. 6 a tubular passage for liquid. 7 Electronics a lengthwise strip on recording tape etc. 8 a groove or a flute, esp. in a column.
v.tr. (channelled, channelling; US channeled, channeling) 1 guide, direct (channelled them through customs). 2 form channels in; groove.
[ ME f. OF chanel f. L canalis CANAL ]