1. A long narrow channel which is dug along a road, field, etc. and that is often used to hold or to move water from one place to another area, but is sometimes used as a boundary marker: The farmer depended on the irrigation ditches to water his crops.

While driving on a road one evening, the driver fell asleep and drove his car into a ditch.

2. A long narrow cut made in the earth to bury a pipeline, a power line, or similar emplacement: The summer hires were assigned by the electric company to dig a ditch for the new cable installation.
3. Any open passage or trench, used as a natural channel or waterway: The Suez Canal is an example of a man-made ditch of major importance.
4. Etymology: from Old English dic, "moat, ditch", which later gave English dike.

1. To get rid of something which is no longer wanted or needed: Stanley and Lorna ditched their plans to open a clothing store because of a lack of funds.

The thief was seen ditching the purse he had just stolen into a trash container.

2. To end a relationship with someone: Denis ditched Mildred who was his girlfriend.

The owner of the baseball team ditched the head coach.

3. U.S. informal, to not go to something; such as, school, work, etc.: Kermit ditched school so he could join the military service.

Shanna ditched work today because she wanted to do something else.

4. To land an aircraft on water or land because of an emergency situation: When the engine of the plane stopped working, the pilot was forced to ditch it in a nearby channel and fortunately, no one was injured.