waterway

noun

wa·​ter·​way ˈwȯ-tər-ˌwā How to pronounce waterway (audio)
ˈwä-
Synonyms of waterwaynext
1
: a way or channel for water
2
: a navigable body of water

Synonyms of waterway

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Examples of waterway in a Sentence

the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
California boaters will now face a higher fee to use the state’s lakes, rivers and other waterways as officials expand their efforts to fight invasive golden mussels. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Attacks on ships and oil infrastructure in the waterway have produced oil spills visible from space. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 Advertisement Iran’s key point of leverage is its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway vital to global energy trade. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026 After lingering in nearby waters for hours, the shark swam beneath an outer barrier net installed on the platform that night and reentered the waterway. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waterway

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of waterway was in the 14th century

Rhymes for waterway

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Browse Nearby Words

water-waved
waterway
waterweed
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Cite this Entry

“Waterway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterway. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

waterway

noun
wa·​ter·​way ˈwȯt-ər-ˌwā How to pronounce waterway (audio)
ˈwät-
1
: a channel for water
2
: a body of water through which ships can travel

More from Merriam-Webster on waterway

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about waterway

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