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

Rutherford is best known for being the first to complete a nonstop solo sail circumnavigating North and South America.

From Seattle Times

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

Kelsey was most recently working on a new book, translating the account of a person who was on the ship with the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan when he was circumnavigating the world.

From Los Angeles Times

In that briefing, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also revealed one balloon had circumnavigated the planet in 2019, travelling over Hawaii and Florida.

From BBC

The Pentagon official said Saturday night that five Chinese balloons have circumnavigated the globe, and China has conducted 20 to 30 balloon missions globally over the past decade.

From Washington Post