Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for circumnavigate. Search instead for simply navigate.
Synonyms

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.


circumnavigate British  
/ ˌsɜːkəmˈnævɪˌɡeɪt /

verb

  1. (tr) to sail or fly completely around

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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; see navigate

Explanation

Circumnavigate means to travel around in a big circle. When you circumnavigate the world, will you do it in a boat or a hot air balloon? Circumnavigate breaks down to circum-, "around," and navigare, "to navigate." It was first used in the era when sailors were trying to find new lands they didn't know about, and so the "around" in question was the trip around the entire earth. We also use circumnavigate to describe going around something that's too hard to go through, like when you circumnavigate the massive crowds in Times Square on New Year's Eve.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing circumnavigate

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.

A talented aviator, daredevil and dashing superstar, she was attempting to circumnavigate the globe and encourage “other women toward greater independence of thought and action.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2024

Similar to the race to the moon, this mission to aerially circumnavigate the world required “uniquely American” coordination and teamwork across military, industry, political and diplomatic figures, said Boeing’s senior corporate historian, Michael Lombardi.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2024

Some analysts said that downgrade might make Paramount easier to acquire, since it could circumnavigate a provision that would require a buyer to immediately pay the company’s debt.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

His legacy could circumnavigate the rugby world many times over.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2022

It would take more than the age of the universe for light to circumnavigate it.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan