navigator

American  

[nav-i-gey-ter] / ˈnæv ɪˌgeɪ tər /

noun

1. a person who navigates.

2. a person who practices, or is skilled in, navigation, as of ships or aircraft.

3. a person who conducts explorations by sea.

4. British. a navvy.

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navigator British  

/ ˈnævɪˌɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a person who is skilled in or performs navigation, esp on a ship or aircraft

2. (esp formerly) a person who explores by ship

3. an instrument or device for assisting a pilot to navigate an aircraft

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Etymology

Origin of navigator

First recorded in 1580–90, navigator is from the Latin word nāvigātor a sailor, mariner. See navigate, -tor

Example Sentences

Israel's military said Saturday it had carried out an operation overnight in Lebanon to find Arad's remains but had failed to uncover any trace of the navigator missing since 1986.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

A Carthaginian navigator named Hanno explored the west coast of Africa in the fifth century B.C., aided by advances in shipbuilding and maritime expertise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

But this is where it will pay off to have assistance from an agent, broker, accredited ACA navigator or other professional who understands the nuances of the marketplace.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 13, 2025

As a navigator for the RAF, he flew for 30 years, ending up as an air vice-marshal, running the UK's Joint Helicopter Command.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2025

And Galya Dokutovich, the navigator who’d been run over while lying on a landing strip in the dark, came back to the 588th late in 1942.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• pilot