navigate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to move on, over, or through (water, air, or land) in a ship or aircraft.
to navigate a river.
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to direct or manage (a ship, aircraft, or guided missile) on its course.
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to ascertain or plot and control the course or position of (a ship, aircraft, etc.).
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to pass over (the sea or other body of water), as a ship does.
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to walk or find one's way on, in, or across.
It was difficult to navigate the stairs in the dark.
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to move or progress through in a logical sequence.
Headings and subheadings make it easier to navigate a long article.
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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)
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to direct or manage a ship, aircraft, or guided missile on its course.
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to pass over the water, as a ship does.
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to walk or find one's way.
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to travel by ship or boat; sail.
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to move or progress through something in a logical sequence.
We’re navigating through a maze of environmental legislation.
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Computers. to move from one part to another of a website, document, etc.
verb
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to plan, direct, or plot the path or position of (a ship, an aircraft, etc)
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(tr) to travel over, through, or on (water, air, or land) in a boat, aircraft, etc
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informal to direct (oneself, one's way, etc) carefully or safely
he navigated his way to the bar
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(intr) (of a passenger in a motor vehicle) to give directions to the driver; point out the route
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rare (intr) to voyage in a ship; sail
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have navigatedperfect
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has navigatedperfect 3rd person singular
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has been navigatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been navigatingperfect progressive
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is navigatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are navigatingprogressive
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navigatingparticiple
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navigatessingular 3rd person
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am navigatingprogressive 1st person singular
Past
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had navigatedperfect
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was navigatingprogressive singular
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were navigatingprogressive plural
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had been navigatingperfect progressive
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navigatedsimple
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navigatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of navigate
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”; cf. fumigate
Explanation
To navigate is to determine a path or course. If you volunteer to navigate on your family’s road trip to Alaska, be sure you’re the type who’s willing to stop and ask for directions. Navigate, like “navy” and “naval,” comes from the Latin word navis meaning “ship.” Without the luxury of modern technology, ancient sailors had to be excellent navigators; they often relied on the stars to chart their course. (We don’t recommend that you try this method of navigation with your family in the car.)
Vocabulary lists containing navigate
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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"Sisters" by Raina Telgemeier
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"The Math Instinct," Vocabulary from the math essay
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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.
“What do we tell people? How do we navigate this? I reverted to being honest, and yes, that led us to the last 48 hours.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Many party members initially argued that Rodríguez deserved latitude to navigate an extraordinary transition after Maduro’s removal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
"He's helping us navigate too. We didn't know where the pharmacy was. I think this is a very good service. With him around, we're getting some help and can shop comfortably," said Jatinder.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
Management also expressed confidence in the company’s ability to navigate an AI future.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
We separated for a moment to help the others navigate the trees and branches but were soon running side by side again.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
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.
