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

“It may look different, it may feel different, but that's the reality — even in the most restrictive times, people have still found a way to navigate through increasingly complex barriers to access abortion care.”

From Salon

He said he was very grateful they had managed to navigate it.

From BBC

"Even though we're both blind, we'll navigate our way round a city, or go on a date on our own. Nothing holds us back."

From BBC

Before wading into the legal morass these lawsuits are attempting to navigate, let’s take a quick look at how the technology is developed and why copyright has become an issue.

From Los Angeles Times

Intimacy coordinators are the professionals who help actors navigate scenes involving nudity, simulated sex and other sensitive scenarios on set.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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