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navigable

adjective
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nav·​i·​ga·​ble | \ ˈna-vi-gə-bəl How to pronounce navigable (audio) \

Definition of navigable

1a : deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships navigable waterways
b : capable of being navigated navigable terrain
2 : capable of being steered
Other Words from navigable Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about navigable

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Other Words from navigable

navigability \ ˌna-​vi-​gə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce navigability (audio) \ noun
navigably \ ˈna-​vi-​gə-​blē How to pronounce navigably (audio) \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for navigable

Synonyms

Antonyms

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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 Think of Mammoth Lakes as Yosemite Lite, an affordable, easily navigable alternative. — Katherine Rodeghier, Dallas News, "Discover Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite’s lesser-known neighbor," 16 July 2019 The project also will enhance public safety by making the river more navigable for US Coast Guard and harbormaster vessels. — BostonGlobe.com, "A federal project to dredge Gloucester’s Annisquam River will be able to move forward after the state recently awarded a $2.4 million grant to support the work.," 13 Nov. 2019 Walkways are more navigable and give guests room to breathe. — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, "Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse ready for grand re-opening after $185 million transformation: First-look photos," 24 Sep. 2019 Thousands of workers built a series of 10 locks and a navigable, 300-foot-wide (91-meter-wide) waterway with a minimum channel depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). — Washington Post, "$2B waterway through Deep South yet to yield promised boom," 16 Sep. 2019 Lisbon is easily navigable by an extensive public transport network, including train stops along the beautiful Estoril coastline. — Kelly Barrett, National Geographic, "Travelers loved these places so much, they decided to stay," 17 July 2019 Formerly navigable channels for boats to get through were moved by the storm, and have to be reopened. — Washington Post, "U.S. official surveys hurricane damage in Bahamas as survivors flee to cities," 10 Sep. 2019 Loop Road curls inland to Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake, navigable by kayak, canoe, and low-horsepower motorboat. — National Geographic, "A guide to Acadia National Park," 3 Apr. 2019 The most important among them is that Apple has made the entirety of iPadOS navigable by voice, which is a big deal for accessibility. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "iPadOS public beta preview: worthy of the new name," 24 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'navigable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of navigable

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

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Time Traveler for navigable

Time Traveler

The first known use of navigable was in the 15th century

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Statistics for navigable

Last Updated

26 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Navigable.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navigable. Accessed 22 January 2020.

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More Definitions for navigable

navigable

adjective
How to pronounce navigable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of navigable

: deep and wide enough for boats and ships to travel on or through : capable of being navigated

See the full definition for navigable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

navigable

adjective
nav·​i·​ga·​ble | \ ˈna-vi-gə-bəl How to pronounce navigable (audio) \

Kids Definition of navigable

1 : deep enough and wide enough to permit passage of ships a navigable river
2 : possible to steer a navigable balloon

Other Words from navigable

navigability \ ˌna-​vi-​gə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on navigable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for navigable

Spanish Central: Translation of navigable

Nglish: Translation of navigable for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of navigable for Arabic Speakers

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