Navigation: meaning, definitions and examples

🗺️
Add to dictionary

navigation

 

[ˌnæv.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

using a map

The process or activity of accurately ascertaining one's position and planning and following a route.

Synonyms

direction, guidance, routing.

Examples of usage

  • The navigation of the ship was guided by the stars.
  • He relied on his navigation skills to find his way through the forest.
Context #2 | Noun

internet browsing

The process or activity of moving around a website or the internet in general.

Synonyms

browsing, exploration, surfing.

Examples of usage

  • The website has a user-friendly navigation menu.
  • Good navigation is essential for a positive user experience.
Context #3 | Noun

aviation

The guidance of an aircraft from one place to another, especially by a pilot or flight crew.

Synonyms

aircraft guidance, flight management, piloting.

Examples of usage

  • The navigation system on the plane malfunctioned.
  • Pilots need to have strong navigation skills.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'navigation' comes from the Latin 'navigatio', which means 'to sail'.
  • Early navigators used stars and landmarks for guidance, long before modern tools existed.
  • The first known sea map was created by the ancient Greeks around 500 BC, showing how long people have been exploring the waters.

Science

  • The Earth’s magnetic field is vital for navigation; compasses align themselves with it to point north.
  • Satellites in space help GPS systems provide accurate location information, allowing for precise navigation on land and sea.
  • Ocean currents and winds significantly affect maritime navigation, shaping how sailors plan their routes.

Technology

  • Modern devices like smartphones now offer advanced navigation apps that calculate routes in real-time.
  • Drones use GPS technology to navigate and are often employed in industries like agriculture and surveying.
  • Autonomous vehicles employ complex navigation systems, combining sensors and artificial intelligence to drive without human intervention.

Culture

  • Many cultures have unique tools and methods for navigation, from Polynesians who rely on ocean swells and bird behavior to the Inuit using landmarks in the Arctic.
  • Sailing traditions often include storytelling, where navigators share their journeys and wisdom passed down through generations.
  • Naval battles in history often relied on navigation skills, impacting outcomes and strategies of conflicts.

Psychology

  • Research has shown that navigating familiar environments activates different parts of the brain than exploring new places.
  • Cognitive maps, the mental layout of our surroundings, help people remember routes and locations, playing a key role in navigation.
  • Certain individuals may develop 'navigational dyslexia', meaning they struggle with understanding spatial relationships and directions.

Translations

Translations of the word "navigation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 navegação

🇮🇳 नेविगेशन (Nāvigēśana)

🇩🇪 Navigation

🇮🇩 navigasi

🇺🇦 навігація

🇵🇱 nawigacja

🇯🇵 ナビゲーション (Nabigēshon)

🇫🇷 navigation

🇪🇸 navegación

🇹🇷 navigasyon

🇰🇷 내비게이션 (naebigeisyeon)

🇸🇦 ملاحة (milāḥa)

🇨🇿 navigace

🇸🇰 navigácia

🇨🇳 导航 (dǎoháng)

🇸🇮 navigacija

🇮🇸 leiðsögn

🇰🇿 навигация (navigatsiya)

🇬🇪 ნავიგაცია (navigatsia)

🇦🇿 naviqasiya

🇲🇽 navegación

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,095, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.