# navigation

/ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən/ (US) · /nˌævɪɡˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/navigation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. finding a route

noun · CEFR B2

the act of planning and following a route to get somewhere in a car, ship, or plane.

For teachers: the theory and practice of charting and following a course for a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.

- The pilot used satellite navigation to find the small airport in the fog.
- Modern maritime navigation relies heavily on electronic charting systems, though traditional celestial methods are still taught as a backup.

### 2. software/websites

noun · CEFR B2

the way you move between different pages or parts of a website or app.

For teachers: the process of accessing and moving between different components of a software user interface.

- The website's navigation was so confusing that I couldn't find the 'buy' button.
- The developers redesigned the mobile app to simplify the navigation, ensuring that users could reach the settings menu in two taps.

### 4. a canal or waterway

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a canal or a river that has been changed so that boats can travel on it.

For teachers: a man-made or modified waterway, such as a canal, designed for commercial or recreational shipping.

- The old navigation was once used to carry coal from the mines to the city.
- The regional authority invested in dredging the navigation to allow larger freight vessels to reach the inland port.

## Examples

- The ship's navigation system is very accurate.
- Modern drivers rely heavily on satellite navigation to find the fastest route through heavy city traffic.
- 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.

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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.