navigation
Americannoun
-
the act or process of navigating.
-
the art or science of plotting, ascertaining, or directing the course of a ship, aircraft, or guided missile.
-
Computers.
-
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.
-
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.
-
noun
-
the skill or process of plotting a route and directing a ship, aircraft, etc, along it
-
the act or practice of navigating
dredging made navigation of the river possible
-
rare ship traffic; shipping
-
dialect an inland waterway; canal
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of navigation
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin nāvigātiōn- (stem of nāvigātiō ) “a voyage”; see 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."
Vocabulary lists containing navigation
"Rogue Wave," Vocabulary from the short story
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Lesson 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Rogue Wave" by Theodore Taylor
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sydney-based Advanced Navigation seeks to avoid attacks by eschewing GPS entirely.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
Advanced Navigation expects to make more than $100 million in sales this year and is cash-flow positive, Shaw said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
As for working out one's geographic position, though, Chris Shaw, co-founder and chief executive of Advanced Navigation, says his firm's tech can use alternatives when GPS proves unavailable or unreliable.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
Ramsey Faragher, director of the Royal Institute for Navigation, says that GPS jamming in the waters off Iran raises the risk of a maritime accident.
From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026
Navigation instruments were being designed, but no one really knew how accurate they would be, and they had to be very, very precise.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
