Panama Canal

noun

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

Panama Canal

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)

Panama Canal

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.

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

Traversing the Northwest Passage would save shippers an estimated two weeks compared with the Panama Canal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He came to office threatening to take back the Panama Canal, and now seems poised to launch a military attack on Venezuela and perhaps even drone strikes on cartel targets in Mexico.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Panama's government won a lawsuit against Spanish company Sacyr, officials said Friday, after the firm claimed it was owed around $2.3 billion for its work expanding the Panama Canal.

Read more on Barron's

She subsequently embarked on a sailing journey with Helen from New York to Barbados and then on through the Panama Canal.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Convenience inspires many geographical connections, including the Panama Canal, essentially a watery, 50-mile desire path between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal