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

Progressive Democrats wrestling with how to navigate a second Donald Trump presidency are settling on a new approach: Take his populist, working-class proposals at his word — or at least pretend to.

From Salon

It is not a wide path he has to navigate.

From BBC

The stairs vary in height, some reaching 11 inches, and are, for many of us, challenging to navigate.

From Los Angeles Times

"Just navigating and understanding how you get covered can be challenging for people," she said.

From BBC

This living cell therapy can navigate through the body to a specific organ, addressing what has been a major limitation of CAR-T cancer therapies until now.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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