navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce navigation (audio)
1
: the act or practice of navigating
2
: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place
especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled
3
: ship traffic or commerce
navigational 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 Between satellite communications and navigation, resource extraction, remote sensing, space tourism and other enterprise, the space economy could yield a significant windfall. Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2023 The robot vacuum has a self-emptying feature, intelligent navigation, and multi-surface scrubbers that target dirt, dust, and pet hair on carpets, hardwood floors, and more. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 28 Aug. 2023 Like the two species above, populations can form large mats that impede navigation and negatively impact native species. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2023 And this process begins with an intuitive interface that simplifies the app's navigation, leading to an exciting and inspiring musical experience. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 22 Aug. 2023 For decades, the rigorous space programs of the two countries went head-to-head, and their competition spawned important milestones in spaceflight like satellite navigation, probes to far-off planets, and human travel in space. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 18 Aug. 2023 The European Space Agency had planned to test its Pilot-D navigation camera by attaching it to Luna-25, but severed its ties to the project after Russia invaded Ukraine. Reuters, NBC News, 11 Aug. 2023 In normal circumstances, 36 vessels in total are authorized to pass the Canal per day this time of the year, but prolonged drought has forced restrictions to use the navigation channel and the locks. Fox News, 17 Aug. 2023 Enhance the user experience for swift messaging access and nimble navigation. Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'navigation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of navigation was in 1547

Dictionary Entries Near navigation

Cite this Entry

“Navigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navigation. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

navigation

noun
nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce navigation (audio)
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 How to pronounce navigation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on navigation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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