navigate
[nav-i-geyt]
- to move on, over, or through (water, air, or land) in a ship or aircraft: to navigate a river.
- to direct or manage (a ship, aircraft, or guided missile) on its course.
- to ascertain or plot and control the course or position of (a ship, aircraft, etc.).
- to pass over (the sea or other body of water), as a ship does.
- to walk or find one's way on, in, or across: It was difficult to navigate the stairs in the dark.
- to move or progress through in a logical sequence: Headings and subheadings make it easier to navigate a long article.
- 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.
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- to direct or manage a ship, aircraft, or guided missile on its course.
- to pass over the water, as a ship does.
- to walk or find one's way.
- to travel by ship or boat; sail.
- to move or progress through something in a logical sequence: We’re navigating through a maze of environmental legislation.
- Computers. to move from one part to another of a website, document, etc.
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Origin of navigate
1580–90; < Latin nāvigātus, past participle of nāvigāre to sail, derivative of nāvis ship; for formation, see fumigate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
maneuverhandlesailcrosscruiseoperatesteervoyageplotdirectdrivejourneyskipperhelmplancaptainpilotExamples from the Web for navigating
Contemporary Examples
Saa is now navigating a new life in America as an incognito boarding school student.
Did he give you any advice during the shoot about navigating the next step of your career?
'The Giver' Star Brenton Thwaites Knows You Think He's Too Old to Play JonasKevin Fallon
August 13, 2014
Earlier this year, army Apaches shot up several convoys that refused to stop while navigating mountainous dunes near the border.
The Daily Beast arrived two hours after the shooting, navigating the unlit roads through mining country.
Navigating this brave new world is the inventively-named Anana, an employee at a soon to be obsolete print dictionary.
Historical Examples
Most Serene Prince: I have been engaged in navigating from my youth.
Mr. Kincaide, will you take the first watch as navigating officer?
The Death-Traps of FX-31Sewell Peaslee Wright
He had just entered the navigating room in response to my order.
Vampires of SpaceSewell Peaslee Wright
I wonder, sir, if you could come to the navigating room at once?
Vampires of SpaceSewell Peaslee Wright
Yes, sir, yes, sir; but can't you see that I am not navigating a balloon?
The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol 2 (of 2)Harry Furniss
navigate
- to plan, direct, or plot the path or position of (a ship, an aircraft, etc)
- (tr) to travel over, through, or on (water, air, or land) in a boat, aircraft, etc
- informal to direct (oneself, one's way, etc) carefully or safelyhe navigated his way to the bar
- (intr) (of a passenger in a motor vehicle) to give directions to the driver; point out the route
- (intr) rare to voyage in a ship; sail
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin nāvigāre to sail, from nāvis ship + agere to drive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for navigating
navigate
v.
1580s, a back-formation from navigation, or else from Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare. Extended to balloons (1784) and later to aircraft (1901). Related: Navigated; navigating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper