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 instance, environmental groups argued that according to state law only property owners next to Wisconsin’s navigable waters can get permits to build in them. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Two years later, the Environmental Protection Agency agreed with what MacAdams had started and designated the river as navigable. —Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Nov. 2025

That path was narrow but navigable until late Saturday night, when one-loss San Diego State was sent home from Hawaii with a 38-6 stain on its resume. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025

Or check out the birthplace of the Inca Empire in Puno and kayak in the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. —Ally Jaksen, Outside, 4 Nov. 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