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

Officials claimed the drastic measures were needed to thwart Ukrainian drones relying on Russian cellphone internet for navigation as Kyiv tries to strike back during Moscow's 4-year-old full-scale invasion. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Perfect for hands-free phone calls, rear-view camera monitoring and GPS navigation management, this high-end unit from car audio giant Pioneer delivers premium features at a respectable price. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026

Tools like the Sydney Health app bring benefits, in-network providers, cost estimates, and care navigation together in one place. —Anthem Blue Cross California, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Now, with tension over naval navigation in the Middle East reaching a critical point, here’s what to know about the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and how a blockage of any kind could significantly impact global trade. —Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 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