navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting vehicles from place to place

especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled

3

: ship traffic or commerce

navigational

ˌna-və-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

navigationally adverb

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 on the Web

The captain inspects the engines, confirms navigation systems are functioning, reviews the weather and ensures the crew is ready. —David Pennino, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

American drivers use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for navigation, music and podcast streaming. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 18 May 2026

But the Pathfinder oddly does not offer a navigation system. —James Raia, Mercury News, 18 May 2026

An official second round of peace negotiations have yet to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, as Washington and Tehran remain split on key issues such as Iran’s nuclear capabilities and naval navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. —Callum Sutherland, Time, 18 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navigation

• celestial navigation
• inertial navigation

Rhymes for navigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place

especially : the method of figuring out position, course, and distance traveled

navigational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective