ˈnavəˌgāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin navigatus, past participle of navigare, from navis ship + -igare (from agere to lead, drive) — more at nave , agent
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to go from one place to another by water : sail
b. : to sail or manage a boat
2. : to direct one's course through any medium ; specifically : to operate an airplane or airship
navigate by instrument
3. : to get about : walk
well enough to navigate under his own power
: move
as to the state of the roads … it might be another week or two before wheels could navigate in any comfort — Esther Forbes
transitive verb
1.
a. : to sail over, on, or through
the first ships to navigate the Atlantic
cargo ships that can navigate inland waters
having successfully navigated the pack ice off the … coast — Rene Cutforth
b. : to make one's way on, about, or through
had trouble navigating the stairs
managed to navigate the house on his knees — Alice Lake
navigate the dangerous age range from 50 to 70 — Flanders Dunbar
2.
a. : to steer, direct, or manage in sailing : conduct (a boat) upon the water by the art or skill of seamen
b. : to operate, steer, or control the course of (an aircraft)