Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A major artificial waterway in eastern China: The Grand Canal is an extensive inland waterway system in China, historically connecting Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south. It is one of the longest and oldest canal systems in the world.
   • The primary canal in Venice, Italy: The Grand Canal is the main water-traffic corridor in Venice, forming a large reverse-S shape through the central districts of the city.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (China):

  • The Grand Canal was a vital route for transporting grain in imperial China.
  • We took a boat tour along a section of the historic Grand Canal.

• Proper noun (Venice):

  • Gondolas and vaporetti navigate the Grand Canal daily.
  • The Rialto Bridge spans the Grand Canal in Venice.

Advanced Usage

• "along the Grand Canal": used to describe location or movement parallel to the canal.

  • Many palaces are built along the Grand Canal in Venice.

• "the Grand Canal system": refers to the entire network of canals, locks, and rivers that constitute the Chinese waterway.

  • The Grand Canal system facilitated cultural exchange between northern and southern China.

Variants and Related Words

• Canal (n): An artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation.

  • The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

• Waterway (n): A river, canal, or other route for travel by water.

  • The Mississippi River is a crucial commercial waterway.

Synonyms

• Watercourse: A channel for conveying water.
• Arterial canal: A major or primary canal.

Related Phrases

• Grand Canal cruise: A tourist boat trip on the Venetian Grand Canal.

  • We booked a Grand Canal cruise for our first evening in Venice.

• Grand Canal Museum: A museum dedicated to the history of the Chinese Grand Canal (located in Hangzhou, China).

  • The Grand Canal Museum houses artifacts from its centuries of use.

Related Idioms

(Note: As a proper noun referring to specific geographic locations, "Grand Canal" itself is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. However, it can be part of descriptive phrases.) - The lifeblood of Venice: A metaphorical description of the Grand Canal's vital role. - The Grand Canal is often called the lifeblood of Venice.

Noun

1. an inland waterway 1000 miles long in eastern China; extends from Tianjin in the north to Hangzhou in the south
2. the major waterway in Venice, Italy