navigation

noun nav·i·ga·tion \ ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of navigation

1 : the act or practice of navigating

2 : the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place; especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled

3 : ship traffic or commerce

—

navigational

play \ˌna-və-ˈgā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

navigationally

adverb

See navigation defined for English-language learners

See navigation defined for kids

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

If you're going to be a good sailor you need to master navigation.
I don't mind driving if you're willing to do the navigation.
Our new car has an onboard navigation system.
Navigation becomes more difficult further upriver.
There are back and forward buttons for easier browser navigation.

Recent Examples of navigation from the Web

The launching came two days late to carry out additional guidance, navigation and control analysis.

— william harwood, CBS News, "SpaceX launches NASA planet-hunting satellite," 18 Apr. 2018
The wetlands drain into a navigation channel along the east bank of the river.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Restoration of one of the last wetlands in Milwaukee's harbor estuary will provide more public recreation and improved habitat," 17 Apr. 2018
Monterey is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.

— jim joyner, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland representatives Cummings, Harris weigh in on U.S. missile attack in Syria," 14 Apr. 2018
Then again, as Maritime Executive points out, larger drones also have backup inertial navigation systems and are not completely reliant on GPS.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia Is Jamming US Drones Flying Over Syria," 11 Apr. 2018
Eurocontrol said that air-to-ground and cruise missiles could be used within that period and there could be intermittent disruptions of radio navigation equipment.

— author: tom perry, dahlia nehme, Anchorage Daily News, "Russia warns that any U.S. missiles fired at Syria will be shot down," 11 Apr. 2018
The downside The LS’s controls for features like smartphones, navigation and audio are cumbersome and frustrating.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Review: 2018 LS 500 is a beauty -- with beastly infotainment controls," 11 Apr. 2018
The move toward a more sophisticated GPS navigation system would improve efficiency and could save money by reducing route times, changing routes and improving timekeeping of drivers’ shifts, Neubauer said.

— phil rockrohr, chicagotribune.com, "App allowing parents to track bus routes, arrivals proposed at Barrington School District 220," 10 Apr. 2018
The recent high water levels have allowed the harbors to avoid unsafe navigation conditions and negative economic impacts on charter fishing boats and the recreational boating community.

— james f. mccarty, cleveland.com, "High Lake Erie water levels are sparing recreational harbors from dredging: Army Corps of Engineers," 10 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of navigation

1547

NAVIGATION Defined for English Language Learners

navigation

noun

Definition of navigation for English Language Learners

: the act, activity, or process of finding the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc.
: the act of moving in a boat or ship over an area of water
computers : the act of going to different places on the Internet or on a particular Web site in order to find what you want

NAVIGATION Defined for Kids

navigation

noun nav·i·ga·tion \ ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən \

Definition of navigation for Students

1 : the act or practice of steering, directing the course of, or finding a way through

2 : the science of figuring out the position and course of a ship or aircraft

—

navigational

\-shə-nᵊl\ adjective

Learn More about navigation

See words that rhyme with navigation Spanish Central: Translation of navigation Nglish: Translation of navigation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of navigation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about navigation

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up navigation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

navigation

Definition of navigation

navigational

navigationally

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples of navigation from the Web

First Known Use of navigation

NAVIGATION Defined for English Language Learners

navigation

Definition of navigation for English Language Learners

NAVIGATION Defined for Kids

navigation

Definition of navigation for Students

navigational

Learn More about navigation

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

navigation

Definition of navigation

navigational

navigationally

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples of navigation from the Web

First Known Use of navigation

NAVIGATION Defined for English Language Learners

navigation

Definition of navigation for English Language Learners

NAVIGATION Defined for Kids

navigation

Definition of navigation for Students

navigational

Learn More about navigation

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes