navigate

[ nav-i-geyt ]

verb (used with object)

, nav·i·gat·ed, nav·i·gat·ing.

1. to move on, over, or through (water, air, or land) in a ship or aircraft:

   to navigate a river.

2. to direct or manage (a ship, aircraft, or guided missile) on its course.
3. to ascertain or plot and control the course or position of (a ship, aircraft, etc.).
4. to pass over (the sea or other body of water), as a ship does.
5. to walk or find one's way on, in, or across:

   It was difficult to navigate the stairs in the dark.

6. to move or progress through in a logical sequence:

   Headings and subheadings make it easier to navigate a long article.

7. Computers. to move from one part to another of (a website, document, etc.), especially by using the links:

   Their site is uncluttered and easy to navigate.

verb (used without object)

, nav·i·gat·ed, nav·i·gat·ing.

1. to direct or manage a ship, aircraft, or guided missile on its course.
2. to pass over the water, as a ship does.
3. to walk or find one's way.
4. to travel by ship or boat; sail.
5. to move or progress through something in a logical sequence:

   We’re navigating through a maze of environmental legislation.

6. Computers. to move from one part to another of a website, document, etc.

navigate

/ ˈnævɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. to plan, direct, or plot the path or position of (a ship, an aircraft, etc)
2. tr to travel over, through, or on (water, air, or land) in a boat, aircraft, etc
3. informal.
   to direct (oneself, one's way, etc) carefully or safely

   he navigated his way to the bar

4. intr (of a passenger in a motor vehicle) to give directions to the driver; point out the route
5. rare.
   intr to voyage in a ship; sail

Other Words From

• mis·navi·gate verb misnavigated misnavigating
• re·navi·gate verb (used with object) renavigated renavigating
• un·navi·gated adjective
• well-navi·gated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of navigate¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin nāvigātus “sailed,” past participle of nāvigāre “to sail,” from nāv(is) “ship” + -igāre, combining form of agere “to drive, do”; fumigate

Word History and Origins

Origin of navigate¹

C16: from Latin nāvigāre to sail, from nāvis ship + agere to drive

Example Sentences

For seconds, a World Cup qualifying campaign that will require luck in the draw to navigate.

From BBC

Instead, “Stickerbush Symphony,” with its strangely melancholic New Age groove, accompanies a level in which the player navigates a fantastically cruel maze of spiky vines.

From New York Times

It requires extensive research to determine whether the items were collected ethically, to identify descendants and to navigate complex international regulations on movement of human remains.

From BBC

But caring for a special needs child made navigating the long, inflexible hours nearly impossible.

From Los Angeles Times

"I feel like I’m always navigating through crisis mode. It’s exhausting."

From BBC

Related Words

• cross
• cruise
• handle
• maneuver
• operate
• sail
• steer