Traversable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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traversable

[ˈtrævərsəbl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

data structures

Capable of being traversed or traveled through. In the context of data structures, it refers to the ability to visit and process each element of a data structure.

Synonyms

crossable, navigable, passable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
traversable

Used to indicate that a route, path, or area can be crossed or traveled across with relative ease. Often used in more technical or formal contexts.

  • The hiking trail was traversable, even for beginners.
  • The engineers confirmed that the terrain was traversable by the new vehicle.
navigable

Often used to describe water bodies like rivers, canals, or lakes that are deep and wide enough for ships and boats to travel through. Can also refer to websites or processes that are easy to understand and use.

  • The river is navigable up to the old bridge.
  • The new website design is more user-friendly and navigable.
passable

Indicates that something can be passed through or over, though not necessarily with ease. It suggests that while difficult, it is not impossible. Can carry a slightly negative connotation if the condition is less than ideal.

  • The road was passable, but only with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
  • After the storm, only one lane of the highway was passable.
crossable

Describes something that can be crossed, typically referring to physical obstacles like rivers or roads. It can be used in both everyday and technical contexts.

  • The river was crossable at the shallow part.
  • The road became crossable once the debris was cleared.

Examples of usage

  • The graph is traversable using depth-first search algorithm.
  • In a traversable binary tree, each node has at most two children.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'traversable'

The word 'traversable' originates from the Latin word 'traversabilis', which means 'that can be crossed'. The term has been used in various fields such as mathematics, computer science, and geography to describe the ability to move across or through something. Over time, 'traversable' has become a common term in the context of data structures and algorithms, referring to the capability of traversing elements in a systematic way.


See also: traverse, untraversable.