kanaal

Kanaal is a Dutch term with several closely related meanings. In geography, a kanaal refers to a waterway, either natural or artificial, used for navigation, drainage, or water management. The word is especially common in the Netherlands and Belgium, where extensive canal networks, locks, and sluices are a defining part of the landscape and urban infrastructure. Canals help regulate water levels in polders, enable transport, and shape the layout of cities and towns, often running through centers and along waterways with associated quays and bridges.

In media and broadcasting usage, kanaal denotes a television or radio channel. Dutch speakers may refer to a specific channel as a kanaal, for example when listing programming or discussing broadcasts.

Etymology and related terms: Kanaal stems from Latin canalis, with development through Dutch and possibly French influences. The term is cognate with the English word canal and with similar terms in other European languages for watercourses and channels.

The word also appears in place names and everyday language in Dutch-speaking regions, reflecting historical and ongoing connections to waterways. While its primary sense is geographic, kanaal as channel is a common modern usage in media contexts.