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

Florsheim argues Wisconsin’s public trust doctrine that applies to navigable waters allows the public to walk on the land between the water’s edge and what is known as the ordinary high water mark – a boundary line left by the continuous presence of water. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

By measuring exposure before adoption reshapes work, the Index enables states to prepare rather than react—turning AI into a navigable transition. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Streets once clogged with summer visitors are now navigable, giving locals the joy of rediscovering their own city without the barrier of throngs of tourists. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 24 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

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