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 post shows a variety of two-dimensional images next to the navigable 3D spaces produced from them, which visitors can tour using their keyboards. World Labs also showed the ability to shift focus and add other effects. —Ina Fried, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Texas has used the shallowness of the river section to make its point that the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass is not navigable as a trade thoroughfare and therefore not under the auspices of the Rivers and Harbors Act. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Aug. 2024

The position will report directly to the city manager’s office and be responsible for managing the city’s 165 miles of navigable waterways. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2024

Volume, playback, and voice-assistant commands are all easily navigable during wear, with few fumbles. —Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 28 Apr. 2023

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