navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

intransitive verb

1

: to travel by water : sail

navigated down to the mouth of the river

2

: to steer a course through a medium

specifically : to operate an airplane

navigate by instrument

3

: get around, move

was well enough to navigate under his own power

transitive verb

1

a

: to sail over, on, or through

able to navigate the deep ocean waters

b

: to make one's way over or through : traverse

… navigate the Internet via hypertext links connecting information-rich computers around the world.

—Stephanie Losee

2

a

: to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing

b

: to operate or control the course of

navigate an airplane

Synonyms

• conn
• con
• helm
• pilot
• steer

Examples of navigate in a Sentence

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.

Only flat-bottomed boats can safely navigate the canal.

He has learned to navigate in rough waters.

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.

The captain navigated the ship.

He has had experience navigating airplanes through storms.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the series’ predecessor captivated viewers some five decades ago, these modern-day Evans are stuck in the past, unable or unwilling to connect with new generations who are still navigating so much and have so much to say. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

Fort Worth’s Dickies a brand built to last Dickies has navigated through several inflection points in its 102 years. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

This project navigates the intricate relationship between humans and nature amidst climate change, opting for a hopeful narrative over apocalyptic predictions. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Even in inclement weather that delayed the start of the tournament 2½ hours, DeChambeau deftly navigated his way through his round, with birdies on the first three holes and another stretch of five birdies in six holes. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

As the reality of having to navigate the city without this vital infrastructure starts to set in, the community is grappling with the challenges that lie ahead. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

Be the one to negotiate and navigate your way to victory. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024

One of the most critical positions on the ship, the officer of the watch ensures the vessel navigates safely regardless of obstacles or conditions. —USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Over several miles on the popular trucking route between Dallas and Houston, the truck navigated tire debris, maneuvered around a raggedy-looking flatbed and slowed for an emergency vehicle. —Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare, from navis ship + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at agent

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

1

a

: to travel by water

b

: to sail over, on, or through

navigate the Atlantic Ocean

2

a

: to direct one's course in a ship or aircraft

b

: to control the course of : steer

3

: to make one's way about, over, or through

navigate the new website

navigate the school's halls