# Channel

/ˈtʃænəɫ/ (US) · /tʃˈænəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/channel
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. television or radio

noun · CEFR A2

a specific station or frequency used for broadcasting television or radio programmes.

For teachers: a specific radio frequency or band of frequencies allocated for the transmission of television or radio signals.

- He changed the channel to watch the news after the movie finished.
- The broadcaster secured a new digital channel to host its dedicated sports coverage and live events.

### 2. waterway

noun · CEFR B1

a passage of water, such as a narrow sea between two land masses or the deep part of a river.

For teachers: a narrow body of water between two land masses, or the navigable part of a river or harbour.

- The ferry crossed the channel between the two islands in under an hour.
- Large cargo ships must stay within the deep-water channel to avoid running aground on the shifting sandbars.

### 3. communication or distribution

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a way of sending information or selling products to people.

For teachers: a means of communication or a route through which goods are passed from the manufacturer to the consumer.

- The company uses social media as its main channel for customer service.
- Management established formal channels for employees to report grievances without fear of professional retaliation.

### 4. online space

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a specific page or area on a website, like YouTube or a chat app, where content is posted.

For teachers: a dedicated area or account on a digital platform for broadcasting content or hosting group discussions.

- She started a YouTube channel to share her cooking recipes with the world.
- The developers created a dedicated Slack channel to coordinate the final stages of the software launch.

### 5. to direct or guide

verb · CEFR B2

to direct money, effort, or feelings toward a particular goal.

For teachers: to direct or guide something along a desired course or toward a specific objective.

- The government decided to channel more money into public education.
- She learned to channel her competitive energy into her professional development rather than personal rivalries.

### 6. to imitate a style

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to act like or follow the style of a famous person.

For teachers: to follow as a model or serve as a medium for a particular personality or style, especially in a performance.

- In her new photoshoot, the actress seemed to channel Marilyn Monroe.
- The designer's latest collection appeared to channel the minimalist aesthetic of the early 1990s.

## Examples

- I changed the channel to watch the news.
- The company is opening a new sales channel to reach customers who prefer shopping on their mobile phones.
- Diplomats established a private channel of communication to discuss the treaty details away from the scrutiny of the international press.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.