channel

channel

channel
1. In telecommunications in general, a separate path through which signals can flow.

2. In the public switched telephone network (PSTN), one of multiple transmission paths within a single link between network points.

3. In mainframe parlance, a specialized processor that comprises an information route and associated circuitry to control input and/or output operations. It normally provides for formatting and buffering and has the necessary control to meet the timing requirements of an I/O device.

Several different I/O devices may be connected to one channel and the control circuitry within the channel directs the data streams to or from the appropriate device. If the I/O devices have a relatively slow data rate, then a multiplexer channel is used in which transfers to or from the separate devices are interleaved, character by character, such that several devices can work simultaneously.

When a number of devices with high data rates, e.g. magnetic disk and tape, are to be connected, a selector channel is used. This will transfer a complete record to or from a device before reselecting.

A channel is often a wired-program processor. As channels have become more elaborate they have tended to become programmed computers (I/O processors) in themselves. See also peripheral processor.

4. Microsoft's term for all the entries into the active desktop bar associated with Internet Explorer V4, Windows 98, and above.

5. On the World Wide Web, a pre-defined Web site that can automatically send updated information for immediate display or viewing on request.

6. In computer marketing, a “middleman” between a product creator and the marketplace. This is distinct from direct selling where the manufacturer sells directly to the end user. Value-added resellers (VAR) and retail store chains are examples of channels in this context.

7. In a field-effect transistor (FET), the path in the semiconductor through which current flows.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JOHN DAINTITH. "channel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN DAINTITH. "channel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-channel.html

JOHN DAINTITH. "channel." A Dictionary of Computing. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O11-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

chan·nel / ˈchanl/ • n. 1. a length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water, esp. two seas. ∎  the navigable part of a waterway. ∎  a hollow bed for a natural or artificial waterway. ∎  (the Channel) the English Channel. ∎  a narrow gap or passage. ∎  a tubular passage or duct for liquid. ∎  an electric circuit that acts as a path for a signal: an audio channel. ∎  a groove or flute, esp. in a column. ∎  Electr. the semiconductor region in a field-effect transistor that forms the main current path between the source and the drain. 2. a band of frequencies used in radio and television transmission, esp. as used by a particular station. ∎  a service or station using such a band: a shopping channel. 3. a medium for communication or the passage of information: they didn't apply through the proper channels. • v. (-neled , -nel·ing ; Brit. -nelled, -nel·ling) [tr.] 1. direct toward a particular end or object: advertisers channel money into radio. ∎  guide along a particular route or through a specified medium. ∎  (of a person) serve as a medium for (a spirit). 2. [usu. as adj.] (channeled) form channels or grooves in: the lower jawbone is deeply channeled.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"channel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"channel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-channel.html

"channel." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel
1. The preferred linear route along which surface water and groundwater flow is usually concentrated (although water can flow across wide, flat surfaces as sheet flow). It is commonly a linear, concave-based depression (e.g. river channel, submarine fan channel). The geometry may be sinuous, anastomosing, or straight, and with a widely variable width-to-depth ratio. See BRAIDED STREAM; and MEANDER.

2. A narrow seaway connecting two wider bodies of water (e.g. the English Channel).

3. In remote sensing, the range of wavelengths recorded by a single detector to form an image.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-channel.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel
1. The preferred linear route along which surface water and groundwater flow is usually concentrated (although water can flow across wide, flat surfaces as sheet flow). It is commonly a linear, concave-based depression (e.g. river channel, submarine fan channel). The geometry may be sinuous, anastomosing, or straight, and with a widely variable width-to-depth ratio. See braided stream and meander.

2. A narrow seaway connecting two wider bodies of water (e.g. the English Channel).

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-channel.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "channel." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel (in cell biology) A pore formed by a protein molecule in a plasma membrane that aids the diffusion of certain substances into and out of the cell. These substances are usually charged ions or lipid-insoluble molecules. See ion channel; ligand-gated ion channel; voltage-gated ion channel.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"channel." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"channel." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-channel.html

"channel." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel 1 bed of running water XIII; tubular passage XIV; course, direction XVI; groove XVII. — OF. chanel, partly latinized var. of chenel :- L. canālis, canāl- pipe, channel, f. canna pipe, CANE; see -EL 2. Cf. CANAL.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-channel.html

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel 2 (naut.) plank, etc. projecting horizontally from a ship's side. XVIII. alt. of chainwale (XVII), f. CHAIN (in the sense ‘contrivance used to carry the lower shrouds of a mast outside the ship's side’) + WALE.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-channel1.html

T. F. HOAD. "channel." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-channel1.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel.
1. Canal, as in the shaft of a column.

2. Canaliculus of a Doric triglyph.

3. Bevelled channelling or grooves in rustication.

4. Furrow, groove, or gutter sunk for carrying off water from a surface.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "channel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "channel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-channel.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "channel." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channel An alternative name for a TRANSMISSION LINE.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

DARREL INCE. "channel." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DARREL INCE. "channel." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-channel.html

DARREL INCE. "channel." A Dictionary of the Internet. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O12-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

channel

channelannal, channel, flannel, impanel, multichannel, panel •cracknel •grapnel, shrapnel •carnal •antennal, crenel, fennel, kennel •regnal •anal, decanal •adrenal, officinal, penal, renal, venal •signal, spignel •hymnal • cardinal • libidinal • ordinal •attitudinal, latitudinal, longitudinal •altitudinal •imaginal, paginal •marginal, submarginal •aboriginal • virginal • disciplinal •seminal •criminal, liminal, subliminal •abdominal, nominal, phenomenal, pronominal •noumenal •germinal, terminal •vaticinal, vicinal •sentinel • intestinal • Juvenaldoctrinal, final, semi-final, spinal, urinal, vaginal •quarterfinal •cantonal, O'Connell •cornel • nounal •atonal, Donal, hormonal, Monel, patronal, polytonal, tonal, zonal •motional •lagoonal, monsoonal, tribunal •communal •Chunnel, funnel, gunnel, gunwale, runnel, tunnel •autumnal • meridional •embryonal, Lionel •diagonal, heptagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, tetragonal •trigonal • orthogonal • occasional •divisional, provisional, visional •delusional, fusional, illusional •regional • original • coronal • arsenal •medicinal •impersonal, interpersonal, personal, transpersonal •irrational, national, passional, rational •factional, fractional, redactional, transactional •confessional, congressional, expressional, impressional, obsessional, processional, professional, progressional, recessional, secessional, sessional, successional •connectional, correctional, directional, interjectional, intersectional, sectional, unidirectional •ascensional, attentional, conventional, declensional, intentional, tensional, three-dimensional, two-dimensional •conceptional, exceptional, perceptional •durational, locational, oblational, relational, vocational •rotational •additional, positional, tuitional, volitional •fictional, jurisdictional •inscriptional • optional • proportional •devotional, emotional, notional, promotional •constitutional, evolutional, institutional, substitutional •constructional, fluxional, instructional •conjunctional, dysfunctional, functional, multifunctional •versional • seasonal •colonel, diurnal, eternal, external, fraternal, infernal, internal, journal, kernel, maternal, nocturnal, paternal, supernal, vernal

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"channel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"channel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-channel.html

"channel." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-channel.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Channel Conflict Management: How To Manage Through It And Win.
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 5/6/2009
Channel surfing for profits; price channels help define the trading range of...
Magazine article from: Futures (Cedar Falls, IA); 3/1/2004
Ratings show Channel 5 widening gap.(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: St. Louis Journalism Review; 12/1/2000

Facts and information from other sites

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of channel