# waterway

/ˈwɔtɝˌweɪ/ (US) · /wˈɔːtəwˌeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/waterway
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. navigable route

noun · CEFR B2

a river, canal, or channel that is deep and wide enough for boats to travel through.

For teachers: a body of water, such as a river, channel, or canal, that is navigable by vessels.

- The city built a new waterway to help large ships reach the port.
- The government invested heavily in dredging the inland waterway to ensure that cargo barges could operate even during the dry season.

### 2. drainage conduit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a pipe or channel used to carry water away, especially on a ship's deck.

For teachers: a conduit or watercourse designed to drain water, particularly one located along the edge of a ship's deck.

- The crew cleared the waterway on the deck to prevent rain from pooling.
- Corrosion in the ship's peripheral waterway led to significant pooling on the main deck during the storm.

## Examples

- The city is famous for its beautiful waterways.
- The government invested in dredging the waterway to allow larger cargo ships to reach the inland port.
- The Rhine serves as a vital industrial waterway, connecting several European nations and facilitating the transport of millions of tons of goods annually.

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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.