an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between S England and N France, linked with the North Sea by the Strait of Dover. Length: about 560 km (350 miles). Width: between 32 km (20 miles) and 161 km (100 miles)
French name: La Manche
English Channel in American English
arm of the Atlantic, between S England & NW France: 21-150 mi (34-241 km) wide; c. 350 mi (563 km) long