navigates; navigated; navigating
1
: to find the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc.
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.
—often used figurativelyWe have had to carefully navigate (our way) through a maze of rules and regulations.
2
a
: to sail on, over, or through an area of water
Only flat-bottomed boats can safely navigate the canal.
He has learned to navigate in rough waters.
b
: to travel on, over, or through (an area or place)
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.
3
: to control the direction of (something, such as a ship or airplane) : steer
The captain navigated the ship.
He has had experience navigating airplanes through storms.
—often used figurativelyShe has carefully navigated the company through some difficult times.
4
computers
: to go to different places on the Internet or on a particular Web site in order to find what you want
You navigate this site by clicking on the pictures.
There are a number of browsers that can be used to navigate the Web/Internet.
A fast connection makes it easier to navigate on the Internet.
Cite this Entry
“Navigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/navigate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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