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

Shift toward combat-ready autonomy Comet is equipped with an advanced autonomy system that supports navigation, remote control, and scalable command structures. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

Lightning was propelled by autonomous navigation. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Days earlier, Alibaba confirmed its navigation unit is developing a four-legged robot. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026

Both soldiers carried and deployed bear spray during the land navigation training exercise, according to the statement provided to CBS News. —Mark Osborne, CBS News, 18 Apr. 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