The term "canal" is used to refer to a man-made channel that is filled with water and is used for transportation or irrigation. The Panama Canal specifically is a lock canal, which means it uses a system of locks to raise and lower ships from one level to another, allowing them to navigate the different elevations of the land.
The Panama Canal is one of the most important and iconic canals in the world, and it has played a crucial role in facilitating global trade and transportation since it was completed in 1914.