ENGLISH
REFERENCE

navigation

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən// UK //nˌævɪɡˈeɪʃən// nav·i·ga·tion General-service

n. the act of finding your way from one place to another, often using a map or a tool like GPS. It also describes how you move around a website or a computer program.

n. the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. In digital contexts, refers to the movement through an interface or information space.


SIMPLE

The ship's navigation system is very accurate.

CONTEXTUAL

Modern drivers rely heavily on satellite navigation to find the fastest route through heavy city traffic.

COMPLEX

The website's poor navigation makes it difficult for users to locate the checkout page, leading to a significant drop in sales during the holiday season.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French navigation, from Latin nāvigātiōnem, accusative singular of nāvigātiō (“sailing, navigation”), from nāvigātus, perfect passive participle of nāvigō (“sail”). Morphologically navigate + -ion.

Usage

Often used with 'of' when referring to a specific area, such as 'the navigation of the river'.

© 2026 English Reference