circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

circumnavigated; circumnavigating; circumnavigates

transitive verb

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigate a congested area

circumnavigation

ˌsər-kəm-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

noun

circumnavigator

ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• circle
• circuit
• circumvent
• compass
• encircle
• girdle
• orbit
• ring
• round

Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world.

the first ship to circumnavigate the globe

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the flexibility to ponder, circumnavigate possible disruptions, think reflectively, low ES people have the possibility to challenge conventional thinking. —Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Steve Bowen and the Ocean Race crew, circumnavigating the globe in their different ways, have a wide choice of forebears. —Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024

On one outdoor deck was a running track that circumnavigated the ship. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

This was the final night of my National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions expedition cruise circumnavigating Iceland for 10 days – and watching an eruption wasn’t on the itinerary at all. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin circumnavigatus, past participle of circumnavigare to sail around, from circum- + navigare to navigate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigation

-ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

noun