# navigate

/ˈnævəˌɡeɪt/ (US) · /nˈævɪɡˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/navigate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to direct a vehicle

verb · CEFR B1

to plan and direct the route of a ship, aircraft, or car.

For teachers: to plan, control, and record the position and course of a vehicle or vessel. Often used transitively with the vehicle or the route as the object.

- Early sailors used the stars to navigate their ships across the ocean.
- The pilot had to navigate the aircraft through a narrow mountain pass during the heavy storm, relying entirely on his instruments.

Usage: Can be used transitively (navigate the ship) or intransitively (he is navigating).

### 2. computing

verb · CEFR B1

to move around a website or computer screen to find what you need.

For teachers: to move between web pages, menus, or digital interfaces using hyperlinks or interface controls.

- The website is very easy to navigate because the menu is clear.
- Users often find it difficult to navigate complex databases without a robust search function or a clear hierarchical structure.

Usage: Often used with 'through' or 'around'.

### 3. to handle a situation

verb · CEFR B2

to find a way to deal with a difficult or complicated situation.

For teachers: to find a way through a complex or difficult process or social situation. Figurative use.

- She helped her friend navigate the difficult process of applying for a visa.
- The CEO had to carefully navigate the political tensions between the two merging companies to ensure a smooth transition.

Usage: Commonly used with abstract nouns like 'process', 'system', or 'relationship'.

## Examples

- You can use the menu to navigate the website.
- The new software update makes it much easier for users to navigate between different project folders.
- While the interface is visually stunning, first-time users may find it difficult to navigate the complex hierarchy of settings without a guided tutorial.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.