navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

intransitive verb

1

: to travel by water : sail

navigated down to the mouth of the river

2

: to steer a course through a medium

specifically : to operate an airplane

navigate by instrument

3

: get around, move

was well enough to navigate under his own power

transitive verb

1

a

: to sail over, on, or through

able to navigate the deep ocean waters

b

: to make one's way over or through : traverse

… navigate the Internet via hypertext links connecting information-rich computers around the world.

—Stephanie Losee

2

a

: to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing

b

: to operate or control the course of

navigate an airplane

Synonyms

• conn
• con
• helm
• pilot
• steer

Examples of navigate in a Sentence

For thousands of years, sailors navigated by the stars.

How about if you drive and I navigate?

I'd need a map to navigate the city.

Only flat-bottomed boats can safely navigate the canal.

He has learned to navigate in rough waters.

The downtown area is easily navigated on foot.

She has trouble navigating the stairs with her crutches.

It took us 10 minutes to navigate through the parking lot to the exit.

The captain navigated the ship.

He has had experience navigating airplanes through storms.

Recent Examples on the Web

Winter weather requires a certain amount of skill to navigate safely on the roads, and the vehicle’s tools make a big difference in conjunction. —Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025

What works for one person in one situation often gets lost in translation, leaving teams to navigate critical decisions without a reliable blueprint. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Despite these challenges, there are still opportunities for buyers who are willing to navigate the current market conditions. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025

View 11 Images Chinese auto marque Chery has created a visionary concept van meant to navigate out of the city and chase adventure with family and friends. —New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare, from navis ship + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at agent

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for navigate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

navigate

verb

nav·​i·​gate ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

navigated; navigating

1

a

: to travel by water

b

: to sail over, on, or through

navigate the Atlantic Ocean

2

a

: to direct one's course in a ship or aircraft

b

: to control the course of : steer

3

: to make one's way about, over, or through

navigate the new website

navigate the school's halls