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.

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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

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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”; see navigate, -ion

Explanation

Navigation is all about figuring out how to get somewhere. If you are lost, hopefully your cell phone can act as a navigation device. You're most likely to come across the noun navigation when you're learning to sail a boat or pilot a ship or airplane. Large vessels that travel long distances often need some help in planning a route and following it, and that's exactly what navigation is all about. The Latin word navigare, "to sail, sail over, go by sea, steer a ship," is at the root of navigation, and it in turn comes from navis, "ship."

Example Sentences

Financial disparities and differences in spending can strain long-standing friendships, requiring careful navigation to maintain bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

“The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is greatly damaging. The restoration of freedom of navigation is of paramount importance,” she said.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

The Waze navigation app will also use the data to warn users as they approach a pothole, the company said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

The meeting will continue the UK government's efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the strait, which provides shipping routes for oil and gas.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

One of Farmer’s brothers, Jeff, later would say that he’d known all along their father didn’t know much about navigation, no matter how many boating magazines the Warden had read.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• boating
• exploration
• shipping