navigation

1 of 2

noun

nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce navigation (audio)
1
: the act or practice of navigating
2
: the science of getting vehicles from place to place
especially : the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled
3
: ship traffic or commerce
navigational
ˌna-və-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce navigation (audio)
adjective
navigationally adverb

navigational

2 of 2

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​tion·​al
-shnəl
: of, relating to, or used in navigation
navigational difficulties
navigational astronomy
the navigational planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn
navigationally
-ᵊl|ē, 
-əl|, 
|i
adverb

Examples of navigation in a Sentence

Noun If you're going to be a good sailor you need to master navigation. I don't mind driving if you're willing to do the navigation. Our new car has an onboard navigation system. Navigation becomes more difficult further upriver. There are back and forward buttons for easier browser navigation.
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.
Noun
Nobody lies awake wondering if their navigation app will one day go rogue. — Timmi Ryerson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Mata said 911 calls for services have been steadily increasing in recent years, and the fire department hopes the nurse navigation program will help reduce call volume by 3% to 6%. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 Both countries have stepped up efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the strait, including hosting a summit with 51 other nations in April. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 All surgical spaces, along with patient holding, registration and clinical offices, are now located on the same floor to streamline navigation and check-in for patients, families and clinicians. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for navigation

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of navigation was in 1547

Phrases Containing navigation

Rhymes for navigation

See All Rhymes for navigation

Browse Nearby Words

navigating officer
navigation
navigational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

navigation

noun
nav·​i·​ga·​tion ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce navigation (audio)
1
: the act or practice of navigating
2
: the science of getting ships, aircraft, or spacecraft from place to place
especially : the method of figuring out position, course, and distance traveled
navigational
-shnəl How to pronounce navigation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on navigation

Nglish: Translation of navigation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about navigation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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