canalization

American  

[kuh-nal-uh-zey-shuhn, kan-l-] / kəˌnæl əˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌkæn l- /

noun

1. the formation of canals; the act of canalizing.

2. Biology. the development of an organism along relatively predictable pathways despite abnormality or injury.

---

Etymology

Origin of canalization

First recorded in 1840–50; canalize + -ation

Example Sentences

Among these and other design principles highlighted in the new paper, Kadelka says one of the most abundant is "canalization."

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2024

In 1933 he put on a personal promotion campaign for canalization of the Trinity by piloting a skiff from Dallas to the Chicago World's Fair.

From Time Magazine Archive

An extensive system of canalization, in connection with the proper forestry regulations, would unquestionably exercise beneficent influences.

From Woman under socialism by De Leon, Daniel

For example, the canalization of Mesopotamia gives us the ancient pre-Semitic Babylonian state, while the extremely ancient Egyptian civilization rests upon the application of the Nile to agriculture.

From Essays on the Materialistic Conception of History by Labriola, Antonio

Impulses, in the first place, arise capriciously, and one of the conditions of our highly organized life is regularity and canalization of action.

From Human Traits and their Social Significance by Edman, Irwin