erie canal

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Word: Erie Canal

Definition: The Erie Canal is a man-made (artificial) waterway (a type of river or channel) that connects the Hudson River at Albany, New York, with Lake Erie at Buffalo, New York. It was built in the 19th century to help transport goods and people more easily across New York State. Today, it is part of the New York State Barge Canal.

Usage Instructions

• Type: Noun
• When to Use: Use "Erie Canal" when talking about this specific waterway, its history, or its role in transportation.

Example Sentence

• "In the 1800s, the Erie Canal was very important for moving supplies from the Midwest to New York City."

Advanced Usage

• You might encounter discussions about the Erie Canal in the context of American history, economics, or environmental studies, particularly regarding its impact on trade and settlement patterns.

Word Variants

• Erie: This refers to the lake and the canal itself.
• Canal: A general term for a waterway that is constructed to allow boats and ships to pass through.

Different Meanings

• Canal: While "canal" usually means a waterway, it can also refer to anything that channels or directs flow, like a "drainage canal" for rainwater.

Synonyms

• Waterway
• Barge canal
• Navigation route

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While "Erie Canal" does not have idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you can use phrases related to canals: - "Go with the flow": This means to be adaptable and accept changes, similar to how water moves through a canal.

Summary

The Erie Canal is an important historic waterway in New York that helped shape trade and transportation in the United States.

Academic

Noun

1. an artificial waterway connecting the Hudson river at Albany with Lake Erie at Buffalo; built in the 19th century; now part of the New York State Barge Canal

Synonyms

• erie canal