First Known Use: 1634
Dictionary
circumnavigate
verb cir·cum·nav·i·gate \-ˈna-və-ˌgāt\
: to travel all the way around (something) in a ship, airplane, etc.
Full Definition of CIRCUMNAVIGATE
transitive verb
: to go completely around (as the earth) especially by water; also : to go around instead of through : bypass <circumnavigate a congested area>
— cir·cum·nav·i·ga·tion \-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən\ noun
— cir·cum·nav·i·ga·tor \-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər\ noun
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Origin of CIRCUMNAVIGATE
Latin circumnavigatus, past participle of circumnavigare to sail around, from circum- + navigare to navigate
Related to CIRCUMNAVIGATE
Rhymes with CIRCUMNAVIGATE
circumambulate, contraindicate, decontaminate, deteriorate, differentiate, disambiguate, disassociate, discombobulate, disorientate, disproportionate, excommunicate, expiration date, free-associate, hyperventilate, incapacitate, intermediate, interpenetrate, misappropriate, multivariate, overcompensate, overpopulate, ratiocinate, recapitulate, rehabilitate, renegotiate, superannuate, supersaturate, transubstantiate, underestimate
CIRCUMNAVIGATE Defined for Kids
circumnavigate
verb cir·cum·nav·i·gate \ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt\
cir·cum·nav·i·gat·edcir·cum·nav·i·gat·ing
Definition of CIRCUMNAVIGATE for Kids
: to go completely around (as the earth) especially by water
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