circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

circumnavigated; circumnavigating; circumnavigates

transitive verb

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigate a congested area

circumnavigation

ˌsər-kəm-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

noun

circumnavigator

ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• circle
• circuit
• circumvent
• compass
• encircle
• girdle
• orbit
• ring
• round

Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world.

the first ship to circumnavigate the globe

Recent Examples on the Web

Gary Lowe, 66, and his wife, Pam, 69, have long been adventurous travelers, but two years ago the couple challenged themselves to the ultimate trip: circumnavigating the globe—solo. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2024

This dark comedy circumnavigates a series of misunderstandings and coincidences involving a group of clueless characters. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024

This Viking itinerary makes two stops in Canada and two stops in Greenland before circumnavigating Iceland, beginning with the remote Westfjords and ending in Reykjavik. —Meena Thiruvengadam, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2024

China’s strategic bombers have also circumnavigated the island multiple times in recent months, while other Chinese aircraft have crossed the Miyako Strait between Taiwan and Japan. —Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, 8 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigation

-ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

noun