navigable

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈna-vi-gə-bəl 

1

a

: deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships

navigable waterways

b

: capable of being navigated

navigable terrain

2

: capable of being steered

navigability

ˌna-vi-gə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

navigably

ˈna-vi-gə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• negotiable
• passable

Examples of navigable in a Sentence

The marsh was navigable only by canoe.

this map shows which rivers are navigable and which aren't

Recent Examples on the Web

The lack of congestion revealed a city more open and navigable. —Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025

Depending on recent storms, there could be a small stream in the center of the canyon, but the trail is still navigable. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 4 Feb. 2025

The International Hydrographic Organization works to ensure all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted uniformly, and also names some of them, according to the Associated Press. —Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025

Nautical vampires aside, the caverns offer a unique experience for people to explore one of America's longest navigable underground rivers. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

navigable

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈnav-i-gə-bəl 

1

a

: deep and wide enough to permit passage to ships

navigable rivers

b

: capable of being navigated

navigable terrain

2

: capable of being steered

a navigable balloon

navigability

ˌnav-i-gə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun