Panama Canal

American  

noun

1. a canal extending southeast from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean across the Isthmus of Panama. 40 miles (64 kilometers) long.

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Panama Canal British  

noun

1. a canal across the Isthmus of Panama, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: extends from Colón on the Caribbean Sea southeast to Balboa on the Gulf of Panama; built by the US (1904–14), after an unsuccessful previous attempt (1880–89) by the French under de Lesseps. Length: 64 km (40 miles)

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Panama Canal Cultural  

1. Waterway across the Isthmus of Panama. The canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The United States built it from 1904 to 1914 on territory leased from Panama.

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Conflict between the United States and Panama has centered on control of the canal; a treaty was signed in 1977 returning control of the Canal Zone to Panama in 2000. Since that time, Panama has agreed to neutral operation of the canal.

Example Sentences

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Panama Canal

The Panama Canal on Friday began reducing the number of ships passing through due to a drought caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

On Thursday, the number of vessels passing through the Panama Canal will be reduced by more than 10% in anticipation of lower rainfall.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Among those bracing for impact are shipping companies using the Panama Canal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

“We are dealing with a climate crisis when we are at peak capacity, and we have to find new sources of water,” said Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the Panama Canal Authority administrator.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

In 1942, Barbara had transferred from Carleton to Radcliffe, but in 1944, she signed up to serve in the Panama Canal Zone.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield