navigate
verb
nav·i·gate
ˈna-və-ˌgāt 
navigated; navigating
1
: to travel by water : sail
navigated down to the mouth of the river
2
: to steer a course through a medium
specifically
: to operate an airplane
navigate by instrument
3
: get around, move
was well enough to navigate under his own power
1
a
: to sail over, on, or through
able to navigate the deep ocean waters
b
: to make one's way over or through : traverse
… navigate the Internet via hypertext links connecting information-rich computers around the world.—
Stephanie Losee
Stephanie Losee2
a
: to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing
b
: to operate or control the course of
navigate an airplane
Examples of navigate in a Sentence
For thousands of years, sailors navigated by the stars.
How about if you drive and I navigate?
I'd need a map to navigate the city.
Only flat-bottomed boats can safely navigate the canal.
He has learned to navigate in rough waters.
The downtown area is easily navigated on foot.
She has trouble navigating the stairs with her crutches.
It took us 10 minutes to navigate through the parking lot to the exit.
The captain navigated the ship.
He has had experience navigating airplanes through storms.
Recent Examples on the Web
Just as the late public television icon helped kids navigate the complexities of childhood, Chiusano wants to help young adults think about how to approach their careers and their potential to make an impact.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2025
In a city of nearly 12 million residents—many navigating at speed on motorcycles and in cars—traffic flow remains a long-standing challenge.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
Now Storch is navigating the art world’s inclination to cast him as a cultural ambassador of some kind.
—Dawn Chan, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
In November, Umansky spoke with PEOPLE and revealed that his daughters have been giving him relationship advice as he's navigated his single era.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navigate
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Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 6 Dec. 2025
In a city of nearly 12 million residents—many navigating at speed on motorcycles and in cars—traffic flow remains a long-standing challenge.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025
Now Storch is navigating the art world’s inclination to cast him as a cultural ambassador of some kind.
—Dawn Chan, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
In November, Umansky spoke with PEOPLE and revealed that his daughters have been giving him relationship advice as he's navigated his single era.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for navigate
Cite this Entry
“Navigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navigate. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
navigate
verb
nav·i·gate
ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt
navigated; navigating
1
a
: to travel by water
b
: to sail over, on, or through
navigate the Atlantic Ocean
2
a
: to direct one's course in a ship or aircraft
b
: to control the course of : steer
3
: to make one's way about, over, or through
navigate the new website
navigate the school's halls
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