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Synonyms

navigation

American  
[nav-i-gey-shuhn] / ˌnæv ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of navigating.

  2. the art or science of plotting, ascertaining, or directing the course of a ship, aircraft, or guided missile.

  3. Computers.

    1. the act or process of moving from one part of a website, software program, document, etc., to another part, especially by using links or menus.

    2. the design and placement of user interface elements like links and menus that allow a user to move from one part of a website, software program, document, etc., to another part.

navigation British  
/ ˌnævɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the skill or process of plotting a route and directing a ship, aircraft, etc, along it

  2. the act or practice of navigating

    dredging made navigation of the river possible

  3. rare ship traffic; shipping

  4. dialect an inland waterway; canal

"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

  • misnavigation noun
  • navigational adjective
  • nonnavigation noun
  • renavigation noun

Etymology

Origin of navigation

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin nāvigātiōn- (stem of nāvigātiō ) “a voyage”; navigate, -ion

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.

"We need to make sure that we have clear confirmation that the safety of navigation for the ships and the seafarers are being agreed," he told BBC Verify.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The resolution, sponsored by the Gulf state of Bahrain, “strongly encourages” member states to “coordinate efforts, defensive in nature,” to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

The latest draft, seen by AFP, demands Iran end attacks on commercial vessels and halt "any attempt to impede transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz".

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

After spending roughly a day in a stretched‑out "high Earth orbit", Orion's engines, navigation and life-support systems were checked, while the capsule looped our planet.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Theory in the classroom included the principles of flight, aircraft and weapons mechanical instruction, and navigation skills.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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.