circumnavigate

American  

[sur-kuhm-nav-i-geyt] / ˌsɜr kəmˈnæv ɪˌgeɪt /

verb (used with object)

circumnavigated, circumnavigating

1. to sail or fly around; make the circuit of by navigation.

   to circumnavigate the earth.

2. to go or maneuver around.

   to circumnavigate the heavy downtown traffic.

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circumnavigate British  

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈnævɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to sail or fly completely around

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Other Word Forms

• circumnavigable adjective
• circumnavigation noun
• circumnavigator noun
• circumnavigatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of circumnavigate

1625–35; < Latin circumnāvigātus (past participle of circumnāvigāre ), equivalent to circum- circum- + nāvigātus; navigate

Example Sentences

He competed in the America’s Cup seven times and twice circumnavigated the globe, becoming the first American skipper to win one of sailing’s toughest challenges, the Whitbread Round the World Race, in 1998.

From Seattle Times

He went on to break at least two other air-balloon speed records but failed to complete any of three bids to circumnavigate the globe by balloon.

From Reuters

In a literal sense, she attempted and succeeded in a feat that had never been done before: circumnavigating the 2,000-kilometer distance of Iceland counterclockwise on kayak.

From New York Times

In response, Russia rejected the flight plans of the Air France and Austrian Airlines planes, which showed them circumnavigating Belarus.

From BBC

And on Saturday morning, he’s embarking on the daunting task of circumnavigating the world.

From Seattle Times