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to channel

to channel

130 4.4
To direct feelings, energy, or money toward a goal
  • verb
  • /ˈtʃænəl/
translation icon : canalizar
  • Consumers should try to channel most of their food dollar right to the source.
  • channel energy
  • channel resources
  • channel funds

So I knew that I wanted to somehow channel all of that into writing.

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Examples

  • He decided to channel his creativity into writing a novel.

  • What is the point in everything we've been through if we can't channel that into something that helps people?

  • Maybe online hate is a way to channel hate away from real people.

  • We're trying to channel that energy before the year ends.

  • But you need to also always channel it into something positive.

  • Try to channel it into focus.

  • But let's channel that in the right direction.

  • He's gonna have to stay focused and channel that energy into good places.

  • No one would do more than George Hale to channel this new wealth into scientific research.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Channel my energies into something more positive.

Synonyms

to transfer
vsto channel
528 2.7

To move a person or thing to another place

stresses guiding toward a purpose rather than only changing location
to transport
vsto channel
377 1.4

To move people or goods from one place to another, often by vehicle

aims at directing to a goal rather than simply moving by vehicle
to beam
vsto channel
346 3.7

To send a television or radio show to many people

is about guiding toward a target or purpose rather than broad broadcasting
to carry
vsto channel
325 2.0

Send sound or information from one place to another

focuses on active guidance toward a goal rather than just moving
to convey
vsto channel
199 3.4

To send information, ideas, or feelings to someone

adds the idea of guiding toward a purpose beyond mere communication
to transmit
vsto channel
169 3.7

To send something from one thing to another, for example a message or disease

is about directing things toward a purpose not just the act of sending
to relay
vsto channel
102 3.5

To receive and then pass on a message or signal

involves directing toward a purpose rather than simply passing along
to route
vsto channel
26 3.5

To send something to a particular person or place

is broader, focusing on guiding to an end rather than only choosing a path
to conduct
vsto channel
18 5.1

To allow heat or electricity to pass through something

is about actively guiding toward an end rather than passive passage
to vector
vsto channel
  • Jargon
3 8.1

To direct a plane toward a particular point

emphasizes directing toward a general end rather than precise targeting
to channelize
vsto channel
  • US
1 7.9

To direct water or other flow into a channel to control it

is about guiding toward a specific end rather than merely confining
to canalize
vsto channel
7.7

To direct water or other things into a particular path to control their movement

focuses on guiding to an end or goal instead of only making a path

Antonyms

5 6.0

To send someone the wrong way or give wrong directions

Phrasal Verbs

Switch to a different television channel by pressing a button or using the remote

to channel-surf
  • Informal
5 5.6

To switch quickly between TV channels without watching any show for long

Compounds

11 1.1

A television station and the programs it shows

A narrow part of the sea that lies between southern England and northern France

A TV station that shows programs on one number

distribution channel
  • Specialized
5 4.2

A way a company gets products to customers, like stores or online shops

back channel
  • Literature
4 7.7

A secret way to talk privately between governments or leaders

communication channel
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A way to send information between people, groups, or devices

A British island in the English Channel near France

1 3.5

A freshwater fish with whisker-like feelers common in North America and often eaten

A train tunnel under the sea that connects England and France

1 5.2

A medicine that reduces calcium entering the heart and blood vessels to treat high blood pressure and chest pain

channel capacity
  • Specialized
1 6.1

Largest amount of data a channel can send without errors, usually measured in bits per second

transmission channel
  • Specialized
1 5.5

A wire or path that carries information between two devices

single-channel
  • Specialized
1 4.8

Sound that plays through one speaker, not left and right

A large freshwater catfish with long whiskers and blue-gray color that lives in the Mississippi River

A large catfish with bluish gray skin and a forked tail that lives in rivers like the Mississippi

A wide part of the sea between southern Wales and southwestern England

7.0

A large saltwater fish often caught for food along the US coast

6.2

A common North American freshwater catfish often caught for food

A national park on islands off southern California with many sea birds and marine life

Found in the central part of a broadcast or audio channel

mid-channel
  • Specialized
7.1

The central frequency in a radio or audio signal

The middle part of a river away from the banks

A part of the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and southeast Africa

A narrow sea passage between Northern Ireland and Scotland linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea

How Focused

to funnel
69 4.1
to channel
130 4.4
to direct
245 1.8
to guide
313 1.0

Surface Forms

channel infinitive
channeled past
channelled past
channeled past participle
channelled past participle
channeling present participle
channeling present participle
channels third person singular

Etymology

Channel comes from the old Latin word canalis, meaning 'pipe' or 'waterway', so imagine putting something into a pipe to control its direction. That is why to channel your energy or money means to guide it toward a particular place or purpose.