Etymology Map
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Canal

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an artificial waterway

Where does the word "canal" come from? It comes from Latin canalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
canalis
Latin · ancient
"water pipe, channel"
from 'canna', reed, the root of 'cane'
2
Stage 2 of 3
canal
Old French · medieval
"channel"
also gave 'channel' through a different route
3
Stage 3 of 3
canal
English · 1400s
"pipe; channel"
man-made waterways for boats date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Canal’s story begins in Latin: canalis meant “water pipe, channel.” From 'canna', reed, the root of 'cane'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as canal. Also gave 'channel' through a different route. It reached English by 1400s as canal. Man-made waterways for boats date from the 1600s. Today, canal means an artificial waterway.