Channel Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Published on June 27, 2025
Channel is a passage for conveying water or other fluid, a medium through which information is transmitted, or a means of expression. e.g., The new technology provides a channel for faster communication.
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Channel Definitions
To convey fluids, such as a groove or tube.
The new irrigation system channels water directly to the roots of the plants.
A natural or artificial waterway used for navigation or drainage.
The ship navigated through the narrow channel to reach the harbor.
A medium or system for communication or information distribution.
Television channels broadcast various programs to entertain and inform the public.
A pathway or route that directs or guides something.
The tour guide channeled the tourists through the museum's main attractions.
To direct or focus energies or attention towards a particular end.
She channeled her efforts into making the project a success.
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A band of frequencies used in broadcasting and communication.
Emergency services use a specific radio channel for communications.
A method or way of behaving, thinking, or doing something.
He found new channels for his creativity in digital art.
To act as an intermediary or conduit for something.
The ambassador channeled negotiations between the two countries.
A frequency or channel on which a television or radio broadcast is transmitted.
We tuned in to the channel where the live event was airing.
To emulate or invoke the characteristics of another person, especially in performance.
The actor channeled the late singer's style and voice in the biopic.
The bed of a stream or river.
The deeper part of a river or harbor, especially a deep navigable passage.
A broad strait, especially one that connects two seas.
A trench, furrow, or groove.
A tubular passage for liquids; a conduit.
A course or pathway through which information is transmitted
New channels of thought.
A reliable channel of information.
Often channels A route of communication or access
Took her request through official channels.
In communications theory, a gesture, action, sound, written or spoken word, or visual image used in transmitting information.
(Electronics) A specified frequency band for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals, as for television signals.
A continuous program of audio or video content distributed by a television, radio, or internet broadcaster.
A company or other entity presenting such content.
(Computers) A chatroom on an online network.
The medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with the physical world.
A rolled metal bar with a bracket-shaped section.
See ion channel.
See protein channel.
A wood or steel ledge projecting from a sailing ship's sides to spread the shrouds and keep them clear of the gunwales.
To make or cut channels in.
To form a groove or flute in.
To direct or guide along some desired course
Channels her curiosity into research.
Channel young people into good jobs.
To serve as a medium for (a spirit guide).
To use or follow as a model; imitate
A politician channeling bygone conservatives to appear stronger on defense.
The physical confine of a river or slough, consisting of a bed and banks.
The water coming out of the waterwheel created a standing wave in the channel.
The natural or man-made deeper course through a reef, bar, bay, or any shallow body of water.
A channel was dredged to allow ocean-going vessels to reach the city.
The navigable part of a river.
We were careful to keep our boat in the channel.
A narrow body of water between two land masses.
The English Channel lies between France and England.
Something through which another thing passes; a means of conveying or transmitting.
The news was conveyed to us by different channels.
A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column.
A structural member with a cross section shaped like a squared-off letter C.
(electronics) A connection between initiating and terminating nodes of a circuit.
The guard-rail provided the channel between the downed wire and the tree.
(electronics) The narrow conducting portion of a MOSFET transistor.
(communication) The part that connects a data source to a data sink.
A channel stretches between them.
(communication) A path for conveying electrical or electromagnetic signals, usually distinguished from other parallel paths.
We are using one of the 24 channels.
(communication) A single path provided by a transmission medium via physical separation, such as by multipair cable.
The channel is created by bonding the signals from these four pairs.
(communication) A single path provided by a transmission medium via spectral or protocol separation, such as by frequency or time-division multiplexing.
Their call is being carried on channel 6 of the T-1 line.
(broadcasting) A specific radio frequency or band of frequencies, usually in conjunction with a predetermined letter, number, or codeword, and allocated by international agreement.
KNDD is the channel at 107.7 MHz in Seattle.
(broadcasting) A specific radio frequency or band of frequencies used for transmitting television.
NBC is on channel 11 in San Jose.
(storage) The portion of a storage medium, such as a track or a band, that is accessible to a given reading or writing station or head.
This chip in this disk drive is the channel device.
The part of a turbine pump where the pressure is built up.
The liquid is pressurized in the lateral channel.
A distribution channel
(Internet) A particular area for conversations on an IRC network, analogous to a chat room and often dedicated to a specific topic.
A means of delivering up-to-date Internet content.
A psychic or medium who temporarily takes on the personality of somebody else.
(nautical) The wale of a sailing ship which projects beyond the gunwale and to which the shrouds attach via the chains. One of the flat ledges of heavy plank bolted edgewise to the outside of a vessel, to increase the spread of the shrouds and carry them clear of the bulwarks.
(transitive) To make or cut a channel or groove in.
(transitive) To direct or guide along a desired course.
We will channel the traffic to the left with these cones.
To serve as a medium for.
She was channeling the spirit of her late husband, Seth.
(transitive) To follow as a model, especially in a performance.
He was trying to channel President Reagan, but the audience wasn't buying it.
When it is my turn to sing karaoke, I am going to channel Ray Charles.
The hollow bed where a stream of water runs or may run.
The deeper part of a river, harbor, strait, etc., where the main current flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels.
A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel.
That through which anything passes; a means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels.
The veins are converging channels.
At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National assembly such matter as may import that body to know.
A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column.
Flat ledges of heavy plank bolted edgewise to the outside of a vessel, to increase the spread of the shrouds and carry them clear of the bulwarks.
Official routes of communication, especially the official means by which information should be transmitted in a bureaucracy; as, to submit a request through channels; you have to go through channels.
A band of electromagnetic wave frequencies that is used for one-way or two-way radio communication; especially, the frequency bands assigned by the FTC for use in television broadcasting, and designated by a specific number; as, channel 2 in New York is owned by CBS.
One of the signals in an electronic device which receives or sends more than one signal simultaneously, as in stereophonic radios, records, or CD players, or in measuring equipment which gathers multiple measurements simultaneously.
An opening in a cell membrane which serves to actively transport or allow passive transport of substances across the membrane; as, an ion channel in a nerve cell.
A path for transmission of signals between devices within a computer or between a computer and an external device; as, a DMA channel.
To form a channel in; to cut or wear a channel or channels in; to groove.
No more shall trenching war channel her fields.
To course through or over, as in a channel.
A path over which electrical signals can pass;
A channel is typically what you rent from a telephone company
A passage for water (or other fluids) to flow through;
The fields were crossed with irrigation channels
Gutters carried off the rainwater into a series of channels under the street
A long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
A deep and relatively narrow body of water (as in a river or a harbor or a strait linking two larger bodies) that allows the best passage for vessels;
The ship went aground in the channel
(often plural) a means of communication or access;
It must go through official channels
Lines of communication were set up between the two firms
A bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance;
The tear duct was obstructed
The alimentary canal
Poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs
A television station and its programs;
A satellite TV channel
Surfing through the channels
They offer more than one hundred channels
A way of selling a company's product either directly or via distributors;
Possible distribution channels are wholesalers or small retailers or retail chains or direct mailers or your own stores
Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission;
Sound carries well over water
The airwaves carry the sound
Many metals conduct heat
Direct the flow of;
Channel infomartion towards a broad audience
Send from one person or place to another;
Transmit a message
Channel Snonyms
Pathway
A route or way followed by something or someone.
The scenic pathway led them directly to the hilltop.
Conduit
A channel or tube through which something (like a fluid) is conveyed.
The wires were encased in a protective conduit along the walls.
Stream
A steady flow of a liquid, or another substance like information.
Data streams continuously in the modern digital world.
Frequency
The rate at which a vibration occurs that constitutes a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves) or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio waves and light).
Different radio stations broadcast on different frequencies.
Medium
An intervening substance through which something is transmitted or carried on.
Water is a good medium for transmitting sound.
Route
A way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination.
The bus follows a new route due to the construction work.
Tunnel
A passageway through or under something, usually underground, especially one for trains or cars.
The new tunnel will decrease the travel time between the cities.
Broadcast
Transmit (a program or some information) by radio or television.
The match will be broadcast live on national television.
Duct
A tube or passageway in a building or machine for air, liquid, cables, etc.
The heating system uses a series of ducts to distribute warm air.
Passage
A way through which a path is laid out.
The passage through the cave was narrow and winding.
Channel Idioms & Phrases
Keep the channel open
To maintain an avenue of communication or opportunity.
They kept the channel open for further negotiations.
Direct channel
A method of selling directly to the consumer without any intermediary.
The company uses a direct channel to sell its products online.
Channel conflict
A situation where different sales channels of the same company compete against each other.
There was a channel conflict between the online store and the retail outlets.
Channel of distribution
The path or route through which goods move from the manufacturer to the consumer.
Improving our channels of distribution can reduce costs and improve service.
Channel one's energy
To focus one's energy and attention on a specific goal or task.
He channeled his energy into completing his thesis.
Channel surfing
Rapidly changing television channels to find interesting programming.
She spent the evening channel surfing, unable to find anything to watch.
Go down the wrong channel
To take an incorrect or inappropriate course of action.
It seems we've gone down the wrong channel with our marketing strategy.
Channel one's thoughts
To direct one's thoughts in a particular way.
She channeled her thoughts towards solving the complex problem.
Channel into
To direct into a specific course or purpose.
He channeled his funds into the new business venture.
Channel Example Sentences
The engineers are working to channel the river through a new course.
Social media has become a powerful channel for information dissemination.
The documentary channel offers educational content around the clock.
They had to channel resources towards completing the urgent project.
His role in the company is to channel feedback from customers back to the development team.
The new satellite channel features international news 24/7.
She found creative ways to channel her energy during the lockdown.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called channel?
Channel derives from the Latin 'canalis', meaning a pipe or groove, which evolved to denote a conduit or a means of transmission.
What is a stressed syllable in channel?
The stressed syllable in "channel" is the first: CHAN-nel.
How many syllables are in channel?
There are two syllables in "channel."
What is the pronunciation of channel?
Channel is pronounced as /ˈtʃænəl/.
How do we divide channel into syllables?
Channel is divided into syllables as follows: chan-nel.
What is the root word of channel?
The root word of channel is the Latin 'canalis', meaning pipe or groove.
What is the second form of channel?
The second form of channel is "channeled" in American English and "channelled" in British English.
How is channel used in a sentence?
Channel is often used to describe a route or medium through which something is transmitted, e.g., They launched a new channel for customer complaints.
What is the verb form of channel?
Channel itself is a verb.
What is the first form of channel?
The first form of channel is "channel."
What is the opposite of channel?
The opposite of channel could be "obstruct" or "block."
What part of speech is channel?
Channel is both a noun and a verb.
What is another term for channel?
Another term for channel is "conduit."
What is the singular form of channel?
The singular form of channel is "channel."
Is the channel term a metaphor?
Channel can be used metaphorically to refer to ways of communication or paths of transmission.
What is the third form of channel?
The third form of channel is "channeled" in American English and "channelled" in British English.
Is channel an abstract noun?
No, channel is not an abstract noun; it is a concrete noun when used to refer to physical channels and a verb when referring to the action of directing or transmitting.
Is channel a vowel or consonant?
Channel begins with a consonant.
Which vowel is used before channel?
The article "a" is used before channel (a consonant sound).
What is the plural form of channel?
The plural form of channel is "channels."
Is channel an adverb?
No, channel is not an adverb.
Is channel a countable noun?
Yes, channel is a countable noun.
Is channel a collective noun?
No, channel is not typically considered a collective noun.
Which conjunction is used with channel?
Conjunctions are not specifically associated with channel; usage depends on sentence structure.
Is channel a noun or adjective?
Channel is primarily a noun but also acts as a verb.
Is channel a negative or positive word?
Channel is a neutral word; it does not inherently carry a positive or negative connotation.
Is the word channel imperative?
Channel can be used as an imperative verb in commands, e.g., Channel your efforts here.
Is the word channel Gerund?
The gerund form of channel is "channeling" in American English and "channelling" in British English.
Is the word “channel” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Channel is a verb and thus can serve functions involving direct or indirect objects depending on its use in sentences.
Which determiner is used with channel?
Determiners used with channel depend on the context, e.g., "a" channel, "the" channel, "this" channel.
Which preposition is used with channel?
Common prepositions used with channel include "through," "into," and "across."
Which article is used with channel?
The definite article "the" is commonly used with channel, e.g., the English Channel, the channel number.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
