channel
gb/t͡ʃˈænəl/ us/t͡ʃˈænəl/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
television or radio station
A TV or radio station that sends shows or music to people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] watches [a channel]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'channel' with 'program'. A channel is the broadcaster; a program is a specific show.
Synonyms
station (Often used for radio or TV; less used for internet streaming services)
Antonyms
off-air (Refers to a station not currently broadcasting)
Collocations
change the channel
|news channel
|sports channel
|subscribe to a channel
Themes
media
|entertainment
|technology
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- I switched to the news channel to catch the headlines.
- They launched a new sports channel last month.
- Her favorite channel plays classic movies all day.
- Please change the channel, this show is boring.
Learner examples
- I watch the music channel every day.
- He likes the sports channel.
- She changes the channel when she is bored.
- This channel has many cartoons.
Verb
B1
action
2
direct towards a goal
To send effort, money, or energy towards a goal or use.
Usage pattern:
to channel [something] into [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'send' instead of 'channel', but 'channel' suggests controlled and purposeful direction.
Synonyms
direct (More general; does not imply controlled flow like 'channel')
Antonyms
waste (To use resources carelessly instead of focusing them)
Collocations
channel funds
|channel efforts
|channel resources
|channel anger
Themes
business
|self-improvement
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need to channel more funds into education.
- She channeled her anger into her artwork.
- The company is channeling resources into research and development.
- He channels his energy into volunteering.
Learner examples
- I channel my time into study.
- She channels her money into her business.
- He channels his energy into sports.
- We channel our work into helping people.
Noun
B1
entity
3
narrow water passage
A narrow part of the sea between two pieces of land.
Common mistake:
Some confuse 'channel' with 'canal'; a canal is man-made, while a channel can be natural.
Synonyms
strait ('Strait' is more formal and often used in geographic names)
Antonyms
land bridge (A strip of land connecting two areas instead of water separating them)
Collocations
cross the channel
|shipping channel
|navigable channel
Themes
geography
|nature
|travel
Examples
- The English Channel separates England from France.
- Boats use the deep channel to reach the port.
- They swam across the narrow channel between the islands.
Learner examples
- The boat went through the channel.
- We saw the channel from the hill.
- The channel is between two lands.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
frequency band for communication
A set frequency used to send and get signals for TV, radio, or phones.
Synonyms
frequency band (More technical; refers specifically to range of frequencies)
Antonyms
noise (Unwanted signals that interfere with communication)
Collocations
communication channel
|radio channel
|Wi-Fi channel
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- Set your walkie-talkie to the same channel as mine.
- The router is operating on channel 6 to avoid interference.
- Each TV station is assigned its own broadcast channel.
Learner examples
- We talk on this radio channel.
- The Wi-Fi uses this channel.
- Change the channel to get better sound.
Noun
B2
entity
5
route for transmission or distribution
A way or system that sends information or things from one place to another.
Synonyms
medium ('Medium' is broader and includes artistic forms)
Antonyms
blockage (Something that stops movement or transmission)
Collocations
sales channel
|distribution channel
|marketing channel
Themes
business
|communication
|technology
Examples
- Social media is an important marketing channel.
- They sell their products through several distribution channels.
- The organization provides aid through local channels.
Learner examples
- We use email as a work channel.
- Shops are one sales channel.
- TV is a good news channel.
Grammar
Dictionary form
channel
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈænəl/
US/t͡ʃˈænəl/
Syllables & stress
chan - nel (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (chan)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: channel
- Plural: channels
Verb
- Base: channel
- 3rd Person Singular: channels
- Present Participle: channeling, channelling
- Past: channeled, channelled
- Past Participle: channelled
Word family
Forms
channels
noun
channeling
verb
channelling
verb
channeled
verb
channelled
verb
Highlights
- Irregular past participle: channelled Verb
Expressions
change the channel
1/t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ ðə t͡ʃˈænəl/
fixed phrase
switch TV/radio stations
To choose a different TV or radio station by pressing a button or turning a control.
Examples
- Can you change the channel? This show is boring.
- He changed the channel to watch the football game instead.
channel one's energy into [something]
1/t͡ʃˈænəl wˈʌnz ˈɛnɚd͡ʒi ˈɪntu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
direct effort towards goal/activity
To use your energy and effort for one specific thing.
Examples
- She channeled her energy into starting her own business.
- He channels his energy into training for marathons.
channel surfing
1/t͡ʃˈænəl sˈɚfɪŋ/
fixed phrase
informal
switching stations repeatedly for content
Quickly changing TV channels many times to find something you like.
Examples
- I spent an hour channel surfing before finding a good movie.
- She enjoys channel surfing on lazy Sunday afternoons.
through official channels
1/θɹˈu əfˈɪʃəl t͡ʃˈænəlz/
fixed phrase
formal
using authorized procedures or routes
Following the correct and accepted way in an office, government, or group to do something.
Examples
- All complaints must be made through official channels.
- He applied for the permit through official channels.