navigable

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈna-vi-gə-bəl 

1

a

: deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships

navigable waterways

b

: capable of being navigated

navigable terrain

2

: capable of being steered

navigability

ˌna-vi-gə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

navigably

ˈna-vi-gə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• cleared
• clear
• passable
• negotiable

Examples of navigable in a Sentence

The marsh was navigable only by canoe.

this map shows which rivers are navigable and which aren't

Recent Examples on the Web

For people with disabilities, Atlas could make the web more navigable. —The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025

The Orange County Fair by comparison feels more intimate, more navigable, and, well, more California casual. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025

The treaty and the 1934 Rio de Janeiro Protocol set the border along the deepest navigable channel of the Amazon, a line meant to be natural and permanent. —Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025

Bruhn says the entire complex is designed to be fully navigable by guests using wheelchairs and ECVs, and many of the exhibits include wide, level walkways and accessible entry points. —Mariette Williams, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

navigable

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈnav-i-gə-bəl 

1

a

: deep and wide enough to permit passage to ships

navigable rivers

b

: capable of being navigated

navigable terrain

2

: capable of being steered

a navigable balloon

navigability

ˌnav-i-gə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun