French word

canal

Pronunciation

IPA/kanal/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncanal

Example

Nous avons marché le long du canal.

We walked along the canal.

Illustration for canal (canal)

More examples

On peut faire une balade en bateau sur le canal.

You can take a boat ride on the canal.

Core concept

A narrow artificial channel carrying boats, drainage water, or irrigation water.

Common phrases

  • longer le canal

    go along the canal

  • balade en bateau sur le canal

    boat ride on the canal

Similar words

rivière: A naturally formed, relatively small stream that often joins another river.
fleuve: A large natural river that flows into the sea.

Definition in French

Voie d'eau artificielle, creusée ou aménagée pour permettre la navigation, le drainage ou l'irrigation.

Word origin

The noun developed from Latin canalis, a channel or pipe, and entered French through Old French with its waterway sense.

Usage tips

  • The plural of canal is canaux, pronounced like kano rather than kanals.

Other meanings

  • channelnoun

Related words

  • canaliserchannelverb

Word lists with this word