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

With more than 500 square miles of navigable waters, the Bay and its tributaries have kayak outfitters with key locations for spectacular views of San Francisco. —Jill K. Robinson, AFAR Media, 20 Mar. 2025

There are more than one hundred kilometers of hiking trails to explore throughout the preserve, with destinations spanning from the easily-navigable Leska Educational Trail to the verdant Schlosser’s Meadow—but for birdwatchers in particular, the source of the Kupa River is the perfect spot. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

There is no road that circumnavigates the perimeter, at least not easily navigable by car, so being on one side of the island tends to root you there. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Any individual, company or federal or state agency that wants to build a project in navigable waters of the United States, or discharge anything into those waters or wetlands, needs a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. —Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

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