Canal/kəˈnæl/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/3Human Creations Canal refers to waterways specifically constructed by people, not natural ones. They built a canal to connect two rivers. Pro Tip 2/3Global Significance Some canals are monumental, shaping international trade and travel. The Suez Canal blockade had global trade implications. Pro Tip 3/3Engineering Marvel Large canals are feats of engineering and often celebrated as such. The Panama Canal expansion was an engineering triumph.