First Known Use: 1588
Dictionary
navigate
verb nav·i·gate \ˈna-və-ˌgāt\
: to find the way to get to a place when you are traveling in a ship, airplane, car, etc.
: to sail on, over, or through an area of water
: to travel on, over, or through (an area or place)
nav·i·gat·ednav·i·gat·ing
Full Definition of NAVIGATE
intransitive verb
1
: to travel by water : sail
2
: to steer a course through a medium; specifically : to operate an airplane
3
: get around, move
transitive verb
1
a : to sail over, on, or through b : to make one's way over or through : traverse
2
a : to steer or manage (a boat) in sailing b : to operate or control the course of (as an airplane)
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Origin of NAVIGATE
Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare, from navis ship + -igare (from agere to drive) — more at agent
Rhymes with NAVIGATE
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NAVIGATED Defined for Kids
navigate
verb nav·i·gate \ˈna-və-ˌgāt\
nav·i·gat·ednav·i·gat·ing
Definition of NAVIGATE for Kids
1
: to travel by water <Explorers navigated around the world.>
2
: to sail or travel over, on, or through <The crew navigated the river.>
3
: to steer a course in a ship or aircraft
4
: to steer or direct the course of (as a boat)
5
: to find information on the Internet or a Web site
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