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 of navigable

• 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 its part, the Westmoreland Museum of Art utilized its partnership with Art Bridges to develop the Art Maze, an interactive installation that transformed the museum’s Cantilever Galleries into a navigable labyrinth painted by local artists. — News Desk, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026

Which Power 4 teams have the most (or least) navigable schedules? — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 24 July 2026

The strait is a critical export route for Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, and has remained largely navigable throughout the war. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Humans need transparency and trust in what the AI just did for them; agents need a predictable, machine-navigable structure. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

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