navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

intransitive verb

1

: to travel by water : sail

navigated down to the mouth of the river

2

: to steer a course through a medium

specifically : to operate an airplane

navigate by instrument

3

: get around, move

was well enough to navigate under his own power

transitive verb

1

a

: to sail over, on, or through

able to navigate the deep ocean waters

b

: to make one's way over or through : traverse

… navigate the Internet via hypertext links connecting information-rich computers around the world.

—Stephanie Losee

2

a

: to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing

b

: to operate or control the course of

navigate an airplane

Synonyms

• conn
• con
• helm
• pilot
• steer

Examples of navigate in a Sentence

For thousands of years, sailors navigated by the stars.

How about if you drive and I navigate?

I'd need a map to navigate the city.

Only flat-bottomed boats can safely navigate the canal.

He has learned to navigate in rough waters.

The downtown area is easily navigated on foot.

She has trouble navigating the stairs with her crutches.

It took us 10 minutes to navigate through the parking lot to the exit.

The captain navigated the ship.

He has had experience navigating airplanes through storms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her Mary Jane is immediately endearing, navigating each new hurdle of the American healthcare system with disarming humor and grace. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024

In his feature debut, Frith tries to navigate the eccentric world of B-movie flag-bearers The Asylum. —Annika Pham, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024

In the presence of Brianne, a mother embarking on a similar journey, or Sherry, her friend and Alex’s nurse, Mary Jane is a fast-talking well of information on how to navigate different social services with a chronically ill child. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024

But Ryanair has also been a loyal Boeing customer, even as the manufacturer was navigating other pockets of scandal and tragedy. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2024

The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over carpets, or reaching for cabinets that are too high. —Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024

As old lawsuits navigate a vast web of appeals, new cases keep coming. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 23 Apr. 2024

Created by Brenda Hampton, the series followed a reverend and his wife navigating the ups and downs of raising seven children of various ages. —Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

While the series’ predecessor captivated viewers some five decades ago, these modern-day Evans are stuck in the past, unable or unwilling to connect with new generations who are still navigating so much and have so much to say. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare, from navis ship + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at agent

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

1

a

: to travel by water

b

: to sail over, on, or through

navigate the Atlantic Ocean

2

a

: to direct one's course in a ship or aircraft

b

: to control the course of : steer

3

: to make one's way about, over, or through

navigate the new website

navigate the school's halls