channel
/ˈtʃænl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃænl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈcha-nᵊl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtʃæn.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃæn.əl/ (ame, ipa)
channel — noun
- channelsingular
- channelsplural
1. a company or service that sends out television shows or radio programmes for peo
a company or service that sends out television shows or radio programmes for people to watch or listen to on their sets
Aiko watched a cooking show on the local news channel every Saturday morning.
collocation: news channel / sports channel / movie channel
The documentary channel is running a series about ocean life this month.
Which channel is the football game on tonight?
My grandmother only watches the channels that show old black-and-white films.
- station
suggests a specific local or physical broadcast facility rather than a service or brand
- network
refers to a group of stations that share content, not a single service
- broadcaster
focuses on the organization that produces content rather than the signal path
2. a specific range of radio wave frequencies that a station uses to send its telev
a specific range of radio wave frequencies that a station uses to send its television or radio signals through the air
The radio station moved to a new channel to improve its sound quality.
Pilots communicate with the control tower on a dedicated radio channel.
collocation: on a dedicated channel
The technician adjusted the receiver to channel seven for the weather report.
Two different stations tried to use the same channel, causing signal interference.
用法筆記
Often interchangeable with sense 1 in everyday speech (e.g. 'What channel is that on?'), but in technical contexts this sense refers specifically to the wave frequency rather than the organization.
3. a navigable stretch of water that ships can follow safely, such as the deepest p
a navigable stretch of water that ships can follow safely, such as the deepest part of a waterway or a narrow passage connecting two larger seas
Ships must stay within the marked channel to avoid hitting the rocks.
collocation: stay within / follow the channel
The narrow channel between the two islands is dangerous for large boats.
Heavy rain carved a new channel through the farmland toward the lake.
A deep-water channel was dug so that big ships could reach the port.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (THE ENGLISH CHANNEL): this sense refers to any navigable water passage, not specifically the one between England and France.
4. the body of salt water lying between the southern coast of England and the north
the body of salt water lying between the southern coast of England and the northern coast of France, linking the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea
The ferry crossed the English Channel from Dover to Calais in ninety minutes.
collocation: cross the (English) Channel
A record number of swimmers attempted to cross the Channel last summer.
The Channel Tunnel connects England and France by railway under the sea.
Leila took a ferry across the Channel to visit her cousin in Paris.
用法筆記
Capitalised as a proper noun. Often shortened to 'the Channel' in British English when the context is clear.
常見錯誤
5. a system or route used for sending information, expressing thoughts or feelings,
a system or route used for sending information, expressing thoughts or feelings, or achieving a particular result
The company uses social media as its main channel for customer support.
collocation: main channel for + purpose
Diplomatic channels were used to resolve the border dispute peacefully.
often plural in formal contexts: diplomatic / official channels
Art can be a powerful channel for expressing feelings that are hard to put into words.
All complaints must go through the proper channels before they can be investigated.
用法筆記
Frequently used in the plural (channels) when referring to established or official routes of communication. Often paired with 'through' (through channels) and 'proper' (proper channels).
6. a separate path or connection in an electronic or computer system through which
a separate path or connection in an electronic or computer system through which data, sound, or electrical signals travel from one part to another
A stereo system has two separate channels for the left and right speakers.
collocation: left channel / right channel (audio)
The laptop sends audio through both channels to create surround sound.
Data travels across multiple channels inside the computer to reach the processor.
Rohan connected the microphone to channel one on the mixing board.
用法筆記
In audio contexts, 'left channel' and 'right channel' are standard collocations. In computing, 'data channel' or 'communication channel' are common.
7. a way of supplying products, services, or information to the people or businesse
a way of supplying products, services, or information to the people or businesses that want or need them
The farm sells vegetables through local markets and online channels.
collocation: distribution channel / sales channel
New digital channels helped the small brand reach customers across the country.
The company plans to open a retail channel in addition to its website.
Priya's team manages the wholesale channel that supplies products to shops.
用法筆記
Commonly used in business contexts with modifiers like 'distribution', 'sales', 'retail', 'wholesale', or 'online'. Often appears in the plural when referring to multiple methods.
8. a designated route at an airport, seaport, or border where officials check trave
a designated route at an airport, seaport, or border where officials check travellers' bags and documents as they leave
Passengers with nothing to declare can walk straight through the green channel.
collocation: green channel / red channel (customs)
The customs officer directed travellers to the red channel for bag inspection.
Tomás waited in the blue channel while his luggage was scanned by security.
All arriving passengers must pass through the designated customs channel.
用法筆記
At airports and ports, the system typically uses colour-coded channels: green for nothing to declare, red for goods that require payment of duty, and (in some countries) blue for EU arrivals.
channel — verb
- channelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- channels3rd person singular
- channeling-ing form
- channeledpast simple
- channelledpast participle
1. to send or direct something such as money, effort, energy, or attention towards
to send or direct something such as money, effort, energy, or attention towards a particular purpose, place, or person
The organisation channels most of its donations toward education in rural areas.
grammar pattern: channel + object + toward + purpose
Leila channeled her anger into a long run along the beach.
grammar pattern: channel + emotion + into + activity
Extra water is channeled away from the houses through underground pipes.
The government channeled funds through local agencies to rebuild the school.
文法句型
channel + object + into/toward/through + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used with prepositions 'into', 'toward', 'through', or 'to' to indicate the destination or purpose. The object is typically a resource (money, energy, effort) or an emotion (anger, frustration, creativity).
2. to copy the voice, movements, or personality of another person so closely that y
to copy the voice, movements, or personality of another person so closely that you seem to become that person for a short time
At the costume party, Diego channeled his favourite singer so well that everyone asked for his autograph.
informal use: channel + a person (celebrity/singer/actor)
The comedian channeled the president's voice perfectly during the skit.
Hana channeled her grandmother when she told the old family stories at dinner.
Yara channeled a famous actress in her school play and won the lead role.
- impersonate
more formal; suggests deliberate imitation for entertainment or deception
- mimic
focuses on copying voice or mannerisms, often playfully
- embody
stronger; suggests fully becoming the person in spirit, not just copying
文法句型
channel + person
用法筆記
Often used in performance contexts — acting, comedy, impersonation. The sense comes from the idea of a 'channel' through which another personality flows. Can sound informal or dramatic in everyday conversation.