towpath

Everyday

1. A path along the bank of a river or canal, where horses once walked pulling barges and boats with ropes. tree →
2. Today, a path along a canal or river used for walking, running and cycling. tree →

In the lessons

In The Wind in the Willows Toad, escaping in a washerwoman's dress, meets a barge pulled by a horse on the towpath, then steals the horse. In history, towpaths helped move coal and goods before railways. Safety today: on a towpath cyclists should slow down and ring their bells; keep away from the edge – the water may be deep and cold.

Examples

• We cycled along the canal towpath. tree →
• A horse once pulled the barge along the towpath. tree →
• Toad rode off on the barge-horse along the towpath. tree →
• Ring your bell when you pass walkers on the towpath. tree →
• The towpath was muddy after the rain. tree →
• Ducks waddled across the towpath. tree →

Note

Countable. From «tow» (pull with a rope) + «path». «Tow» rhymes with «go».