What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
watercourse
Example
The watercourse in the valley was dry due to the drought. [watercourse: noun]
Example
The watercourse carved a path through the rocky terrain. [watercourse: noun]
Example
The city built a watercourse to transport water from the reservoir to the treatment plant. [watercourse: noun]
canal
Example
The Panama Canal is an important shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. [canal: noun]
Example
The farmers dug a canal to irrigate their crops. [canal: noun]
Example
The city built a canal to divert floodwaters away from the residential area. [canal: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Canal is more commonly used than watercourse in everyday language. Canal is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while watercourse is less common and refers specifically to natural channels of water.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between watercourse and canal?
While watercourse is typically associated with a technical or scientific tone, canal is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
