waterway

Everyday

A waterway is a river, canal or other stretch of water that boats can travel along. tree →

In the lessons

Used in geography and history: canals in Britain, the Mississippi, the St Lawrence Seaway, Venice; trade and transport before railways.

Examples

• The canal was an important waterway for carrying coal. tree →
• Boats carry goods along the waterways of Europe. tree →
• The Mississippi is a busy American waterway. tree →
• Rubbish in waterways harms fish and birds. tree →
• Venice has many narrow waterways instead of streets. tree →
• The town grew up beside a great waterway. tree →

Note

Compound of «water» + «way». Countable. Not every river is a waterway in this sense: it must be usable by boats.