Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Canal \Ca*nal"\, n.
   A long and relatively narrow arm of the sea, approximately
   uniform in width; -- used chiefly in proper names; as,
   Portland Canal; Lynn Canal. [Alaska]

Canal \Ca*nal"\, n. [F. canal, from L. canalis canal, channel;
   prob. from a root signifying ``to cut''; cf. D. kanaal, fr.
   the French. Cf. {Channel}, {Kennel} gutter.]
   1. An artificial channel filled with water and designed for
      navigation, or for irrigating land, etc.

   2. (Anat.) A tube or duct; as, the alimentary canal; the
      semicircular canals of the ear.

   {Canal boat}, a boat for use on a canal; esp. one of peculiar
      shape, carrying freight, and drawn by horses walking on
      the towpath beside the canal.

   {Canal lock}. See {Lock}.

Source : WordNet®

canal
     n 1: (astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once
          thought to be a system of channels; they are now
          believed to be an optical illusion
     2: a bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and
        conveying a secretion or other substance; "the tear duct
        was obstructed"; "the alimentary canal"; "poison is
        released through a channel in the snake's fangs" [syn: {duct},
         {epithelial duct}, {channel}]
     3: long and narrow strip of water made for boats or for
        irrigation
     [also: {canalling}, {canalled}]

canal
     v : provide (a city) with a canal [syn: {canalize}, {canalise}]
     [also: {canalling}, {canalled}]