Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense channels, present participle channelling, past tense, past participle channelledregional note: in AM, use channeling, channeled
1. countable noun
A channel is a television station.
...the only serious current affairs programme on either channel.
...the proliferating number of television channels in America.
...the presenter of Channel 4 News.
2. countable noun
A channel is a band of radio waves on which radio messages can be sent and received.
3. countable noun [oft adjective NOUN]
If you do something through a particular channel, or particular channels, that is the system or organization that you use to achieve your aims or to communicate.
The government will surely use the diplomatic channels available.
The Americans recognise that the U.N. can be the channel for greater diplomatic activity. [+ for]
Keeping channels of communication open was crucial. [+ of]
4. verb
If you channel money or resources into something, you arrange for them to be used for that thing, rather than for a wider range of things.
...a nonprofit foundation through which to channel funds to alleviate poverty. [VERB noun preposition]
Revenues from 'green taxes' could then be channelled back into energy efficiency. [VERB noun preposition]
5. verb
If you channel your energies or emotions into something, you concentrate on or do that one thing, rather than a range of things.
Stephen is channelling his energies into a novel called Blue. [VERB noun + into]
[Also V n adv]
Synonyms: direct, guide, conduct, transmit More Synonyms of channel
6. countable noun
A channel is a passage along which water flows.
Keep the drainage channel clear.
Synonyms: duct, chamber, artery, groove More Synonyms of channel
7. countable noun
A channel is a route used by boats.
8. proper noun
The Channel or the English Channel is the narrow area of water between England and France.
More Synonyms of channel
channel in British English1
(ˈtʃænəl)
noun
1.
a broad strait connecting two areas of sea
2.
the bed or course of a river, stream, or canal
3.
a navigable course through a body of water
4. (often plural)
a means or agency of access, communication, etc
to go through official channels
5.
a course into which something can be directed or moved
a new channel of thought
6. electronics
a.
a band of radio frequencies assigned for a particular purpose, esp the broadcasting of a television signal
b.
a path for an electromagnetic signal
a stereo system has two channels
c.
a thin semiconductor layer between the source and drain of a field-effect transistor, the conductance of which is controlled by the gate voltage
7.
a tubular or trough-shaped passage for fluids
8.
a groove or flute, as in the shaft of a column
9. computing
a.
a path along which data can be transmitted between a central processing unit and one or more peripheral devices
b.
one of the lines along the length of a paper tape on which information can be stored in the form of punched holes
10. short for channel iron
verbWord forms: -nels, -nelling, -nelledWord forms: US-nels, -neling or -neled
11.
to provide or be provided with a channel or channels; make or cut channels in (something)
12. (transitive)
to guide into or convey through a channel or channels
information was channelled through to them
13.
to serve as a medium through whom the spirit of (a person of a former age) allegedly communicates with the living
14. (transitive)
to exhibit the traits of (another person) in one’s actions
15. (transitive)
to form a groove or flute in (a column, etc)
Derived forms
channeller (ˈchanneller) or US channeler (ˈchanneler)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French chanel, from Latin canālis pipe, groove, conduit; see canal
channel in British English2
(ˈtʃænəl)
noun
nautical
a flat timber or metal ledge projecting from the hull of a vessel above the chainplates to increase the angle of the shrouds
Word origin
C18: variant of earlier chainwale; see chain, wale1 (planking)
Channel in British English
(ˈtʃænəl)
noun
the Channel
channel in American English1
(ˈtʃænəl)
noun
1.
the bed of a running stream, river, etc.
2.
the deeper part of a river, harbor, etc.
3.
a body of water joining two larger bodies of water
4.
a tubelike passage for liquids
5.
a.
any means of passage
b.
a course through which something moves or is transmitted, conveyed, expressed, etc.
6. [pl.]
the proper or official course of transmission of communications
to make a request through army channels
7.
a long groove or furrow
8.
a rolled metal bar whose section is shaped thus ⊔
: also channel iron (or bar)
9.
a narrow band of frequencies within which a radio or television transmitting station must keep its signal to prevent interference with other transmitters
10.
any path that conducts an electronic signal between two points; specif., a pathway by which data is transmitted between two computers, a mainframe and a terminal, or a computer and a peripheral
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈchanneled or ˈchannelled, ˈchanneling or ˈchannelling
11.
to make a channel or channels in
12.
to flute (a pillar, column, etc.)
13.
to send through a channel
14.
in spiritualism, to serve as a medium for (a spirit)
Word origin
ME chanel, canel < OFr: see canal
channel in American English2
(ˈtʃænəl)
noun
Obsolete
any of several metal ledges on the sides of a ship used to secure the rigging and keep the ropes free of the gunwales
Word origin
orig., chain wale
channel in Hospitality
(tʃænəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) channels
noun
(Hospitality (hotel): Hotel room, bedroom)
A channel is a television station.
SIMILAR WORDS:
station
COLLOCATIONS: change ~
The TV has a remote control to change the channel and volume.
The number of channels available on the television was limited.
Increasingly, hotels are offering cable and satellite channels on room televisions.
Examples of 'channel' in a sentence
channel
Imports are the main channel through which the trade picture improves.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is still quietly spoken and painfully modest and channels all his energy into his football and tireless running.
The Sun (2016)
The first job of leadership is to release and channel the energy, skills and ideas of others.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The main channel will not show any action until the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Sun (2017)
I loved the pain, the endurance, and my energy just channelled.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
For the government will surely use the diplomatic channels available.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
What the terrestrial channels have done is to divert resources to their portfolios of digital channels.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To continue contacts for information or channels of advice can be destructive.
Christianity Today (2000)
We will follow this up through diplomatic channels.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Everyone else should consider quitting and channelling the money into another savings scheme.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We have to channel our energy in the right direction.
The Sun (2012)
This made sense when there was only one commercial channel in each area.
Veljanovski, Dr Cento The Media in Britain Today (1990)
But there were only two channels back then so we thought we would give it a go.
The Sun (2010)
It is thought she will decide and sign with one channel by the end of the week.
The Sun (2010)
It is like the hiss of an empty radio channel.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
How the trainer teaches and what she does provides the main channel for unconscious learning.
O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John Training with N.L.P. (1994)
We spent an afternoon on board one exploring the narrower channels.
The Sun (2012)
Then they were the only player in town with terrestrial channels not interested.
The Sun (2009)
The school is set to make an official complaint through diplomatic channels.
The Sun (2009)
The website passes these on to you in full and makes its money from channels such as advertising.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The channel had already cut its workforce by 25 per cent last year.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Access to the channels after this will cost 3 a month.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But it's coming to a shopping channel near you.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The philosopher has since been accused of meddling, undermining proper diplomatic channels and grandstanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The two channels are available for a 5 monthly charge in addition to usual tariffs.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is so much competition and so many clothes, images and information channels to cut through.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Word lists with
channel
architectural features
In other languages
channel
British English: channel /ˈtʃænl/ NOUN
on TV A channel is a wavelength on which television programmes are broadcast.
...movie channels.
American English: channel
Arabic: قَنَاة
Brazilian Portuguese: canal
Chinese: 频道
Croatian: kanal
Czech: kanál televizní
Danish: kanal
Dutch: kanaal golflengte
European Spanish: canal TV
Finnish: kanava
French: chaîne télévision
German: Programm Fernsehen
Greek: κανάλι
Italian: canale
Japanese: チャンネル
Korean: 해협
Norwegian: kanal
Polish: kanał telewizyjny
European Portuguese: canal
Romanian: canal
Russian: канал
Latin American Spanish: canal
Swedish: kanal station
Thai: ช่อง
Turkish: kanal
Ukrainian: канал
Vietnamese: kênh
British English: channel NOUN
for water A channel is a passage along which water flows.
Keep the drainage channel clear.
American English: channel
Brazilian Portuguese: canal
Chinese: 渠道
European Spanish: canal
French: chenal
German: Kanal
Italian: canale
Japanese: 水路
Korean: 수로
European Portuguese: canal
Latin American Spanish: canal
British English: channel VERB
If you channel money or resources into something, you arrange for them to be used for that thing, rather than for a wider range of things.
He wants a system set up to channel funds to the poor countries.
American English: channel
Brazilian Portuguese: canalizar
Chinese: 调拨
European Spanish: canalizar
French: canaliser
German: leiten
Italian: convogliare
Japanese: 当てる
Korean: 재원을 특별한 목적에 사용하다
European Portuguese: canalizar
Latin American Spanish: canalizar
All related terms of 'channel'
channel-hop
to change television channels repeatedly using a remote control device
co-channel
denoting or relating to a radio transmission that is on the same frequency channel as another
Kos Channel
→ the Kos Channel
red channel
in an airport , the route taken by passengers wishing to declare goods, such as large quantities of tobacco or alcohol
the Channel
an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between S England and N France, linked with the North Sea by the Strait of Dover . Length: about 560 km (350 miles). Width : between 32 km (20 miles) and 161 km (100 miles)
back channel
an unofficial , often secret , means of communication
Channel ferry
a ship that shuttles across the English Channel between the UK and the continent
channel iron
a rolled-steel bar with a U-shaped cross section
Channel port
one of the English or French ports on the English Channel
channel-surf
to switch TV channels repeatedly using a remote-control device, usually so as to sample brief segments of programs
cross-Channel
Cross-Channel travel is travel across the English Channel, especially by boat.
green channel
the route followed in passing through customs in an airport , etc by passengers claiming to have no dutiable goods to declare
North Channel
a strait between NE Ireland and SW Scotland , linking the North Atlantic with the Irish Sea
open channel
An open channel is a type of flow in which one surface is free (= not restricted by anything).
swash channel
(esp of water or things in water) to wash or move with noisy splashing
Bristol Channel
an inlet of the Atlantic , between S Wales and SW England, merging into the Severn estuary . Length: about 137 km (85 miles)
channel captain
the most powerful member, and often the one that decides specifications , in a channel for distributing goods (which usually consists of a manufacturer , wholesaler, and retailer). The channel captain is sometimes the manufacturer but in the case of a chain store it may be the retailer
Channel Country
→ the Channel Country
channel-hopped
to change television channels repeatedly using a remote control device
channel-hopping
Channel-hopping means switching quickly between different television channels because you are looking for something interesting to watch .
Channel Islands
a group of islands in the English Channel , off the NW coast of France, consisting of Jersey , Guernsey , Alderney , Brechou or Brecqhou, Sark , Herm , Jethou, and Lihou (all between them representing the British Kingdom Crown Dependencies of the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey) – the only part of the duchy of Normandy remaining to Britain – and the Roches Douvres and the Îles Chausey (which belong to France). Pop: 149 878 (2001). Area: 194 sq km (75 sq miles)
channel-surfing
Channel-surfing is the same as → channel-hopping .
Channel Tunnel
the Anglo-French railway tunnel that runs beneath the English Channel, between Folkestone and Coquelles, near Calais ; opened in 1994
English Channel
an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between S England and N France , linked with the North Sea by the Strait of Dover . Length : about 560 km (350 miles). Width : between 32 km (20 miles) and 161 km (100 miles)
Yucatán Channel
a channel between W Cuba and the Yucatán peninsula
Channel crossing
a crossing of the English Channel
Channel Islander
a person who comes from one of the Channel Islands
drainage channel
a channel along which drained water flows away
Mozambique Channel
a strait between Mozambique and Madagascar . Length: about 1600 km (1000 miles). Width : 400 km (250 miles)
shipping channel
a navigational pathway that a ship uses to travel from one place to another
shopping channel
A shopping channel is a television channel that broadcasts programmes showing products that you can phone the channel and buy.
distribution channel
the network of organizations, including manufacturers , wholesalers, and retailers, that distributes goods or services to consumers
open-channel flow
Open-channel flow is a liquid flow in a channel , which has a free liquid surface.
pay-cable channel
a television channel that has to be paid for
the Kos Channel
a strait separating Kos from SW Turkey
cross-Channel ferry
a ferry that transports passengers and vehicles across the English Channel
St. George's Channel
strait between Ireland & Wales , connecting the Irish Sea with the Atlantic : c. 100 mi (161 km) long
the Channel Country
an area of E central Australia, in SW Queensland : crossed by intermittent rivers and subject to both flooding and long periods of drought
calcium channel blocker
any drug that prevents the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and smooth muscle : used to treat high blood pressure and angina
Saint George's Channel
a strait between Wales and Ireland, linking the Irish Sea with the Atlantic . Length: about 160 km (100 miles). Width : up to 145 km (90 miles)
gas black
finely powdered carbon produced by burning natural gas. It is used as a pigment in paints , etc
red drum
a large, edible drum fish ( Sciaenops ocellatus ) of the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
calcium antagonist
any drug that prevents the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and smooth muscle: used to treat high blood pressure and angina
swash
(esp of water or things in water) to wash or move with noisy splashing