Crossword Genius

Churchwoman's long passage (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

channel

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'passage' is the definition.
(I know that channel is a type of passage)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for channel that I've seen before include "Navigable part of a waterway" , "Water passage; TV station" , "Length of water between two land masses" , "vehicle" , "Seaway south of England" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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