navigate
NAV-ih-gayt
Navigate (verb) means to plan and follow a route or course while traveling. Example: “The captain navigated the ship through the narrow strait.”
verb
1
To plan and follow a route or course while traveling.
"The captain navigated the ship through the narrow strait."
"We used a paper map to navigate before smartphones existed."
"Can you navigate while I drive, since the road signs here are confusing?"
2
To find a way through a difficult or complicated situation.
"The company had to navigate a tricky legal dispute."
"She navigated the awkward conversation with grace."
"Young graduates often struggle to navigate the world of work and rented housing."
3
To move between pages or sections of a website or app.
"Click the menu to navigate to your account settings."
"Older users sometimes find it hard to navigate a site with too many menus."
"You can navigate between the tabs by tapping the icons at the bottom of the screen."
How to use navigate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo find and follow your way — whether on a journey, through a website, or through a tricky situation.
Common pairings
navigate a website
navigate a crisis
navigate by GPS
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- navigates
- Past tense
- navigated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The captain _____ the ship through the narrow strait.
Etymology
From Latin navigare, "to sail a ship," from navis ("ship") plus agere ("to drive").
Related words
Rhymes for navigate
See all rhymes for navigate →Frequently asked questions
What does “navigate” mean?
The word “navigate” means to plan and follow a route or course while traveling. In plain terms, to find and follow your way — whether on a journey, through a website, or through a tricky situation.
How do you pronounce “navigate”?
“Navigate” is pronounced NAV-ih-gayt (/ˈnæv.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “navigate” in a sentence?
Here is “navigate” used in a sentence: “The captain navigated the ship through the narrow strait.”
What part of speech is “navigate”?
“Navigate” is a verb.
Where does the word “navigate” come from?
The word “navigate” comes from Latin. From Latin navigare, "to sail a ship," from navis ("ship") plus agere ("to drive").
Is “navigate” a common word?
“Navigate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “navigate” have?
“Navigate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to plan and follow a route or course while traveling.
What is the difference between navigate and steer?
To steer means to physically control the direction of a vehicle or vessel, while to navigate means to plan and follow the overall route or course, often using maps, instruments, or judgment. A ship's crew might steer the wheel while a navigator determines which course to follow.
Can you navigate a website the same way you navigate a road trip?
Yes, in a figurative sense. When used with websites or apps, navigate means to move between pages or sections, which mirrors the way it describes following a route while traveling. Both uses share the core idea of finding your way through a structured space.
What does it mean to navigate a difficult situation?
To navigate a difficult situation means to find a way through something complicated, such as a conflict, negotiation, or emotional challenge, without necessarily involving physical movement. This figurative sense extends the literal meaning of following a route to any process that requires careful handling.
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