In a general sense, a passage; a place of passing or flowing; particularly, a water course.

The place where a river flows, including the whole breadth of the river. But more appropriately, the deeper part or hollow in which the principal current flows.

The deeper part of a strait, bay, or harbor, where the principal current flows, either of tide or fresh water, or which is the most convenient for the track of a ship.

That through which any thing passes; means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels.

A gutter or furrow in a column.

An arm of the sea; a straight or narrow sea, between two continents, or between a continent and an isle; as the British or Irish channel.

Channels of a ship.

To form a channel; to cut channels in; to groove; as, to channel a field or a column.