circumnavigate

cir·cum·nav·i·gate

verb \-ˈna-və-ˌgāt\

Definition of CIRCUMNAVIGATE

transitive verb

: to go completely around (as the earth) especially by water; also : to go around instead of through : bypass <circumnavigate a congested area>

— cir·cum·nav·i·ga·tion \-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən\ noun

— cir·cum·nav·i·ga·tor \-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər\ noun

Examples of CIRCUMNAVIGATE

1. The ship circumnavigated the world.
2. <the first ship to circumnavigate the globe>

Origin of CIRCUMNAVIGATE

Latin circumnavigatus, past participle of circumnavigare to sail around, from circum- + navigare to navigate

First Known Use: 1634

Related to CIRCUMNAVIGATE

Synonyms: circle, circuit, encircle, circumvent, compass, girdle, orbit, ring, round

Related Words: circumambulate, cross, perambulate, traverse

Near Antonyms: confront, face, meet; accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Rhymes with CIRCUMNAVIGATE

circumambulate, contraindicate, decontaminate, deteriorate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, excommunicate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, rehabilitate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate