navigation
Americannoun
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the act or process of navigating.
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the art or science of plotting, ascertaining, or directing the course of a ship, aircraft, or guided missile.
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Computers.
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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.
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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.
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noun
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the skill or process of plotting a route and directing a ship, aircraft, etc, along it
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the act or practice of navigating
dredging made navigation of the river possible
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rare ship traffic; shipping
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dialect an inland waterway; canal
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 believe the period of global-trade-enabling freedom of navigation that followed is coming to an end.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
"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 vessel's navigation data showed it crossed via a new Iranian-approved route through its waters, dubbed the "Tehran Toll Booth" by leading shipping journal Lloyd's List.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
He taught surveying, navigation, cartography and military engineering.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
