channel

channel is a Noun

Definition:

[1] The hollow bed where a stream of water runs or may run.

[2] The deeper part of a river, harbor, strait, etc., where the main current flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels.

[3] A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel.

[4] That through which anything passes; means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels. The veins are converging channels. Dalton. At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National assembly such matter as may import that body to know. Burke.

[5] A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column.

[6] pl. Etym: [Cf. Chain wales.] (Naut.)

[7] 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. Channel bar, Channel iron (Arch.), an iron bar or beam having a section resembling a flat gutter or channel. -- Channel bill (Zoöl.), a very large Australian cucko (Scythrops Novæhollandiæ. -- Channel goose. (Zoöl.) See Gannet.