Definition

1. Noun:
   • A conduit through which water flows: A waterway is a natural or artificial channel that carries water, such as a river, canal, or ditch.
   • A navigable body of water: A waterway is any body of water, such as a river, canal, or lake, that is deep and wide enough for boats and ships to travel on.

Examples of Usage

• As a conduit for water flow:

  • The new drainage waterway prevented the field from flooding. (The new channel for water flow prevented the field from flooding.)
  • They built a small waterway to divert the stream around the construction site. (They built a small channel to divert the stream around the construction site.)

• As a navigable route:

  • The Mississippi River is a major commercial waterway. (The Mississippi River is a major commercial route for ships.)
  • The canal was an important inland waterway for transporting goods. (The canal was an important inland route for transporting goods.)

Advanced Usage

• "Inland waterway": A navigable river, canal, or lake within a country.

  • Barges are commonly used on European inland waterways. (Barges are commonly used on European navigable rivers and canals.)

• "Waterway system": A network of connected navigable waters.

  • The country's extensive waterway system is vital for its economy. (The country's extensive network of navigable waters is vital for its economy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Watercourse (n): A natural or artificial channel through which water flows. This is a close synonym, especially for the "conduit" meaning.

  • The dry watercourse filled rapidly during the storm. (The dry channel filled rapidly during the storm.)

• Seaway (n): An ocean route used by ships or a deep inland waterway. This is related to the "navigable" meaning.

  • The St. Lawrence Seaway connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. (The St. Lawrence deep water route connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.)

Synonyms

• Channel: A length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water, or a navigable passage in a waterway.
• Artery: A major route for transportation or communication, often used figuratively for important waterways.

Related Phrases

• To open a waterway: To make a route navigable or clear a channel.

  • The icebreaker ship helped to open the northern waterway for spring shipping. (The icebreaker ship helped to make the northern route navigable for spring shipping.)

• Waterway traffic: The movement of vessels on a navigable water route.

  • Waterway traffic on the river increases during the summer months. (The movement of vessels on the river increases during the summer months.)

Noun

1. a conduit through which water flows
2. a navigable body of water