navigable

adjective

nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈna-vi-gə-bəl How to pronounce navigable (audio)
1
a
: deep enough and wide enough to afford passage to ships
navigable waterways
b
: capable of being navigated
navigable terrain
2
: capable of being steered
navigability noun
navigably adverb

Examples of navigable in a Sentence

The marsh was navigable only by canoe. this map shows which rivers are navigable and which aren't
Recent Examples on the Web The move is part of a wider inclusivity initiative that Starbucks has undertaken to design easily navigable retail spaces for all of its customers. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 Lawyers for the federal government said that the large orange buoys violated a federal law over navigable rivers. Edgar Sandoval, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024 This encompasses both physical accessibility to your business premises for people with disabilities and digital accessibility, ensuring your online content is navigable for those with visual or hearing impairments. Jia Rizvi, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 By not overly subsidizing demand, not spending at rates that radically outpace economic growth, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurialism in the tax code, and establishing a navigable federal regulatory environment, his administration held inflation in check. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 While limited shooting was undertaken by a specialized crew in the actual Andes Mountains location of the tragedy, the more navigable Sierra Nevada range in Spain stood in for the majority of filming. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023 The highest navigable lake in the world has receded to what Bolivian authorities say are critically low levels because of a persistent drought. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2023 As providers begin competing with each other to offer the best deals, friendliest customer service, and most navigable menus, prices will fall—and the patient experience will improve across the board. Sally Pipes, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023 Louisiana governor requests Federal Emergency Declaration for saltwater intrusion To make the river navigable, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers routinely dredges the Mississippi, removing sediment and debris from the riverbed and making the navigation channel deep enough for barges. Max Golembo, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'navigable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of navigable was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near navigable

Cite this Entry

“Navigable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navigable. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

navigable

adjective
nav·​i·​ga·​ble ˈnav-i-gə-bəl How to pronounce navigable (audio)
1
a
: deep and wide enough to permit passage to ships
navigable rivers
b
capable of being navigated
navigable terrain
2
: capable of being steered
a navigable balloon
navigability noun

More from Merriam-Webster on navigable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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