What term refers to a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water?

The term that refers to a narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water is a strait. Straits are significant geographical features as they serve as natural waterways, facilitating maritime navigation and trade between the larger bodies of water they connect.

Understanding the context around this term can clarify why it is the correct answer. A bay is an area of water partially enclosed by land, generally larger than a cove, and does not specifically denote a connecting body of water. An estuary typically refers to a coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, which is more about ecological interaction than merely a connection between bodies of water. A canal is a man-made waterway designed for navigation or irrigation, which is distinctly different from a naturally occurring narrow body of water like a strait. Thus, the definition of a strait aligns precisely with the characteristics described in the question.