channel channel /ˈtʃænəl/

noun

1. () A path over which electrical signals can pass  ( transmission channel , channel )
   a path over which electrical signals can pass
    A channel is typically what you rent from a telephone company
   a channel is typically what you rent from a telephone company
   
   
2. () A passage for water (or other fluids) to flow through  ( channel )
   a passage for water (or other fluids) to flow through
    The fields were crossed with irrigation channels
   the fields were crossed with irrigation channels
    Gutters carried off the rainwater into a series of channels under the street
   gutters carried off the rainwater into a series of channels under the street
   
3. A way of selling a company's product either directly or via distributors  ( channel , distribution channel )
   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
   possible distribution channels are wholesalers or small retailers or retail chains or direct mailers or your own stores
   
4. A television station and its programs  ( channel , television channel , TV channel )
   a television station and its programs
    A satellite TV channel
   a satellite TV channel
    Surfing through the channels
   surfing through the channels
    They offer more than one hundred channels
   they offer more than one hundred channels
   
5. A bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance  ( canal , channel , epithelial duct , duct )
   a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance
    The tear duct was obstructed
   the tear duct was obstructed
    The alimentary canal
   the alimentary canal
    Poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs
   poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs
   
6. (often plural) a means of communication or access  ( channel , communication channel , line )
   (often plural) a means of communication or access
    It must go through official channels
   it must go through official channels
    Lines of communication were set up between the two firms
   lines of communication were set up between the two firms
   
7. 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  ( channel )
   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
   the ship went aground in the channel
   
8. 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)  ( channel , groove )
   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)
   

verb

1. () Transmit or serve as the medium for transmission  ( convey , impart , channel , carry , conduct , transmit )
   transmit or serve as the medium for transmission
    Sound carries well over water
   Sound carries well over water
    The airwaves carry the sound
   The airwaves carry the sound
    Many metals conduct heat
   Many metals conduct heat
   
2. Send from one person or place to another  ( channel , channelise [British] , channelize , transfer , transmit , transport )
   send from one person or place to another
    Transmit a message
   transmit a message
   
3. Direct the flow of  ( channel )
   direct the flow of
    Channel information towards a broad audience
   channel information towards a broad audience