navigation

American  

[nav-i-gey-shuhn] / ˌnæv ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of navigating.

2. the art or science of plotting, ascertaining, or directing the course of a ship, aircraft, or guided missile.

3. Computers.

   1. the act or process of moving from one part of a website, software program, document, etc., to another part, especially by using links or menus.

   2. the design and placement of user interface elements like links and menus that allow a user to move from one part of a website, software program, document, etc., to another part.

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navigation British  

/ ˌnævɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the skill or process of plotting a route and directing a ship, aircraft, etc, along it

2. the act or practice of navigating

   dredging made navigation of the river possible

3. rare ship traffic; shipping

4. dialect an inland waterway; canal

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Other Word Forms

• misnavigation noun
• navigational adjective
• nonnavigation noun
• renavigation noun

Etymology

Origin of navigation

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin nāvigātiōn- (stem of nāvigātiō ) “a voyage”; navigate, -ion

Explanation

Navigation is all about figuring out how to get somewhere. If you are lost, hopefully your cell phone can act as a navigation device. You're most likely to come across the noun navigation when you're learning to sail a boat or pilot a ship or airplane. Large vessels that travel long distances often need some help in planning a route and following it, and that's exactly what navigation is all about. The Latin word navigare, "to sail, sail over, go by sea, steer a ship," is at the root of navigation, and it in turn comes from navis, "ship."

Example Sentences

The Waze navigation app will also use the data to warn users as they approach a pothole, the company said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

France's Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the meeting to discuss a plan to "restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when security conditions allow", the French presidency said.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

If America were to abandon its insistence on secure navigation in international waters, it would reverse U.S. foreign and security policy since the maritime Quasi-War with France in 1798.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organisation, the United Agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping, told the BBC that countries should respect the already established right to freedom of navigation.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

They kept seeing lights appear and disappear in the blackness—green and red navigation lights, just as on Ida's boat.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke

Related Words

• boating
• exploration
• shipping