channel
1the bed of a stream, river, or other waterway.
Nautical. a navigable route between two bodies of water.
the deeper part of a waterway.
a wide strait, as between a continent and an island.
a course into which something may be directed: He hoped to direct the conversation to a new channel.
a route through which anything passes or progresses: channels of trade.
channels, the specific, prescribed, or official course or means of communication: In an emergency he was able to reach the governor without going through channels.
a groove or furrow.
a means of access: He considers the Senate a channel to the White House.
Architecture.
a flute in a column, especially one having no fillet between it and other flutes.
any of the prominent vertical grooves in a triglyph.
(in jazz or popular music) a bridge.
Telecommunications. a frequency band of sufficient width for one- or two-way communication from or to a transmitter used for television, radio, CB radio, telephone, or telegraph communication.: Compare circuit (def. 10).
Computers. a path for the transfer of signals or data within a computer or between a computer and its peripheral equipment.
Digital Technology.
feed (def. 23): Learn how to create your own web channel.
a web page or website that distributes frequently updated content by means of a feed: Subscribe to my YouTube channel.
either of the two signals in stereophonic or any single signal in multichannel sound recording and reproduction.
Cell Biology. a transient opening made by a protein embedded in a cell membrane, permitting passage of specific ions or molecules into or out of the cell: calcium channel.
a tubular passage for liquids or fluids.
Building Trades.
any structural member, as one of reinforced concrete, having the form of three sides of a rectangle.
a number of such members: channel in 100-foot lengths.
to convey through or as through a channel: He channeled the information to us.
to direct toward or into some particular course: to channel one's interests.
to excavate as a channel.
to form a channel in; groove.
to professedly reach or convey messages from (a spiritual guide) by entering a meditative or trancelike state.
to imitate the ideas, appearance, etc., of (a person or thing that is admired): At times he seems to be channeling the late Michael Jackson’s vocal stylings.
to become marked by a channel: Soft earth has a tendency to channel during a heavy rain.
Origin of channel
1Other words for channel
Other words from channel
- chan·nel·er; especially British, chan·nel·ler, noun
- mul·ti·chan·neled, adjective
- mul·ti·chan·nelled, adjective
- non·chan·neled, adjective
- un·chan·neled, adjective
- un·chan·nelled, adjective
Other definitions for channel (2 of 2)
a horizontal timber or ledge built outboard from the side of a sailing vessel to spread shrouds and backstays outward.
Origin of channel
2- Also chain wale, chain-wale [cheyn-weyl, chan-l] /ˈtʃeɪnˌweɪl, ˈtʃæn l/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for channel (1 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃænəl) /
a broad strait connecting two areas of sea
the bed or course of a river, stream, or canal
a navigable course through a body of water
(often plural) a means or agency of access, communication, etc: to go through official channels
a course into which something can be directed or moved: a new channel of thought
electronics
a band of radio frequencies assigned for a particular purpose, esp the broadcasting of a television signal
a path for an electromagnetic signal: a stereo set has two channels
a thin semiconductor layer between the source and drain of a field-effect transistor, the conductance of which is controlled by the gate voltage
a tubular or trough-shaped passage for fluids
a groove or flute, as in the shaft of a column
computing
a path along which data can be transmitted between a central processing unit and one or more peripheral devices
one of the lines along the length of a paper tape on which information can be stored in the form of punched holes
short for channel iron
to provide or be provided with a channel or channels; make or cut channels in (something)
(tr) to guide into or convey through a channel or channels: information was channelled through to them
to serve as a medium through whom the spirit of (a person of a former age) allegedly communicates with the living
(tr) to exhibit the traits of (another person) in one’s actions
(tr) to form a groove or flute in (a column, etc)
Origin of channel
1Derived forms of channel
- channeller, noun
British Dictionary definitions for channel (2 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃænəl) /
nautical a flat timber or metal ledge projecting from the hull of a vessel above the chainplates to increase the angle of the shrouds
Origin of channel
2British Dictionary definitions for Channel (3 of 3)
/ (ˈtʃænəl) /
the Channel short for English Channel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for channel
[ chăn′əl ]
A specified frequency band for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals, as for television signals.
The part of a field effect transistor, usually U-shaped, through which current flows from the source to the drain. See more at field effect transistor.
A pathway through a protein molecule in a cell membrane that modulates the electrical potential across the membrane by controlling the passage of small inorganic ions into and out of the cell.
The bed or deepest part of a river or harbor.
A large strait, especially one that connects two seas.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with channel
In addition to the idiom beginning with channel
- channel surfing
also see:
- go through channels
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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