The alteration of the course of a river or other waterway so as to form straight channels, typically in order to improve the flow of water, protect against flooding, etc. Now chiefly North American.

The action of conveying or guiding through, or as through, a channel; the action of "channel".

The direction or focusing of emotion, instinctual impulses, etc., in such a way as to cause a particular form of behaviour, thought, etc.