navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting vehicles from place to place

especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled

3

: ship traffic or commerce

navigational

ˌna-və-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

navigationally adverb

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

If you're going to be a good sailor you need to master navigation.

I don't mind driving if you're willing to do the navigation.

Our new car has an onboard navigation system.

Navigation becomes more difficult further upriver.

There are back and forward buttons for easier browser navigation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The list includes extra water, extra food, extra clothing or layers, a headlamp, sun protection, emergency shelter, navigation tools with extra batteries, a knife or multi-tool with a basic repair kit, a fire starter, and a first-aid kit. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

It was towed into a nearby jetty to keep it from interfering with other boats’ navigation. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

But in the summit declaration, the call on Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was the lone reference to energy. — John Kerry, semafor.com, 23 July 2026

Logistics hubs likely to remain a key target Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the hubs targeted by Ukrainian drones were involved in providing Russian forces with drone components, navigation equipment and other military components. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navigation

• celestial navigation
• inertial navigation

Rhymes for navigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place

especially : the method of figuring out position, course, and distance traveled

navigational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective