Water-course is a term that refers to the path or channel through which water flows, such as a river or stream. Some synonyms for the word include: waterway, watercourse, channel, conduit, canal, aqueduct, flume, gutter, and ditch. Each of these terms refers to a specific type of waterway, such as a canal which is typically man-made and used for transportation or irrigation, whereas a river is a natural body of water that flows through a wide channel. Regardless of the type of water-course, all are important sources of water for our planet and provide important habitats for aquatic life.