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

Both men were imperialists who saw the uncompleted Panama Canal as key to U.S. power.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Fully laden massive oil tankers, or Very Large Crude Carriers, also cannot transit through the Panama Canal due to size constraints.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Five percent of global maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, and its main users are the US and China.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Earlier this year, Panama’s Supreme Court voided CK Hutchison’s contract to operate two ports at either end of the Panama Canal, allowing the government to seize the assets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 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