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the Erie Canal was superseded by a much larger waterway, the New York State Barge Canal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.
Major rainfall flooding could prompt evacuations and rescues, the weather service said, and waterways could overflow their banks. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 The Sheriff’s Office patrols the Chain, with 6,000 acres and 15 lakes that are interconnected navigable waterways, along with the county portion of the Fox River and 26 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 The original Kansas City—the one in Missouri—was officially incorporated in 1853 under the name City of Kansas, reflecting its location on a waterway already known as the Kansas River, after the local Kansa people (also known as the Kaw Nation). — Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off hiker access across the waterway. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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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