navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting vehicles from place to place

especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled

3

: ship traffic or commerce

navigational

ˌna-və-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

navigationally adverb

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

If you're going to be a good sailor you need to master navigation.

I don't mind driving if you're willing to do the navigation.

Our new car has an onboard navigation system.

Navigation becomes more difficult further upriver.

There are back and forward buttons for easier browser navigation.

Recent Examples on the Web

The keys are vertically aligned to improve controller navigation. —Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2025

The Inland Route in Michigan is a historically significant waterway, the Army Corps said, offering recreational navigation through a series of lakes and rivers in the northern Lower Peninsula. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Ursula von der Leyen was on her way to Bulgaria when the plane’s navigation systems were disabled, forcing the jet to land using paper maps. —Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025

The ones that leave a mark excel in usability—where navigation feels intuitive, content is easy to reach, and every interaction serves a clear purpose. —Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navigation

• celestial navigation

Rhymes for navigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

navigation

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act or practice of navigating

2

: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place

especially : the method of figuring out position, course, and distance traveled

navigational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective