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

Thus, making the Missouri as navigable as the Mississippi and the Ohio seemed sensible. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

The Duster was the perfect companion, building confidence behind the wheel, helping turn a harsh landscape into something navigable and genuinely fun. —Fergus Scholes, TheWeek, 30 Jan. 2026

The public trust doctrine dictates the state holds navigable waters in trust for the public up to the ordinary high water mark − a visual mark left by water. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026

But warmer seas have also resulted in Greenland’s waters becoming more navigable, boosting its naval importance. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Jan. 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