/ kəˈnæl; NAmE / noun
1.
a long straight passage dug in the ground and filled with water for boats and ships to travel along; a smaller passage used for carrying water to fields, crops, etc. :
the Panama / Suez Canal
an irrigation canal
2.
a tube inside the body through which liquid, food or air can pass
—see also alimentary canal
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , alteration of chanel channel, from Latin canalis pipe, groove, channel, from canna cane.