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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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

Trump accused Panama of charging the U.S., the canal’s biggest user, excessive rates, and claimed that the Central American country had ceded control of the waterway to China. —Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

This is the second Taiwan Strait transit carried out by the Japanese navy since September 2024, when destroyer JS Sazanami navigated the waterway with Australian and New Zealand vessels, becoming Japan's first warship to transit the strait since World War II. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

If anything were to happen to a roadway or a public waterway, taxpayers would ultimately fund the repairs TJ Bugbee, executive director of the N.C. Outdoor Advertising Association, told the News & Observer last year the new law would prevent trees from blocking billboards. —Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2025

Along with transiting the waterway, guests will visit Aruba, Mexico, California and many other destinations. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 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