circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
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 noun
circumnavigator noun

Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world. the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steve Bowen and the Ocean Race crew, circumnavigating the globe in their different ways, have a wide choice of forebears. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024 On one outdoor deck was a running track that circumnavigated the ship. Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 This was the final night of my National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions expedition cruise circumnavigating Iceland for 10 days – and watching an eruption wasn’t on the itinerary at all. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024 Few records so thoroughly circumnavigate the breadth of outré music while inviting casual listens to pay repeat visits. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for circumnavigate 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumnavigate was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near circumnavigate

Cite this Entry

“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumnavigate. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb
cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
: to go completely around especially by water
circumnavigate the earth
also : to go around instead of through : bypass
circumnavigation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on circumnavigate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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