circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
circumnavigated; circumnavigating; circumnavigates
Synonyms of circumnavigate

transitive verb

: to go completely around especially by water
circumnavigate the earth
also : to go around instead of through : bypass
circumnavigate a congested area
circumnavigation
ˌsər-kəm-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
noun
circumnavigator
ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of circumnavigate

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Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world. the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Is there a market for a live-aboard cruise ship that will visit 140 countries and circumnavigate the world? — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 18 Mar. 2026 The menu from chef Reneé Touponce and beverage director Jade Ayala, both James Beard Award–recognized, likewise circumnavigated the globe. — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 9 June 2026 That said, Amazon also has a history of disabling apps that let users circumnavigate its home screen that Fire devices, including Fire Sticks and Fire TVs, have increasingly used for ads. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026 Chicagoan Bill Pinkney sailed into Boston Harbor having circumnavigated the globe all by himself, the third American and the first Black person to have accomplished the feat by taking a route that included the five southernmost capes. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate

Word History

Etymology

Latin circumnavigatus, past participle of circumnavigare to sail around, from circum- + navigare to navigate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumnavigate was in 1634

Rhymes for circumnavigate

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Browse Nearby Words

circumnavigable
circumnavigate
circumnavigation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumnavigate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb
cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
: to go completely around especially by water
circumnavigate the earth
also : to go around instead of through : bypass
circumnavigation
-ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on circumnavigate

Nglish: Translation of circumnavigate for Spanish Speakers

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