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

In the next roughly two weeks, Firefly mission engineers plan to calibrate the spacecraft's navigation system and continue to evaluate its scientific payloads for NASA before the descent. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

The device features an analog joystick for navigation, as well as a potentiometer for tweaking settings and control of functions. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2025

The United States, as well as its allies, have sent warships to the waterway to assert the freedom of navigation in international waters and to showcase their support for Taiwan, which Communist China considers its territory despite never having governed it. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

The study also unlocked a key finding in turtle navigation. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing navigation

• celestial navigation

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