circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt 

circumnavigated; circumnavigating; circumnavigates

transitive verb

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigate a congested area

circumnavigation

ˌsər-kəm-ˌna-və-ˈgā-shən 

noun

circumnavigator

ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• circle
• circuit
• circumvent
• compass
• encircle
• girdle
• orbit
• ring
• round

Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world.

the first ship to circumnavigate the globe

Recent Examples on the Web

The narrow route, first opened by the U.S. in 1914, allows cargo vessels to travel between the American continents rather than having to circumnavigate them, reducing transit times. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Shortly after, Lewis circumnavigated the world in M5. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024

This was one of the stops on my 10-day expedition cruise with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions circumnavigating Iceland in August. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024

Given the flexibility to ponder, circumnavigate possible disruptions, think reflectively, low ES people have the possibility to challenge conventional thinking. —Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin circumnavigatus, past participle of circumnavigare to sail around, from circum- + navigare to navigate

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt 

: to go completely around especially by water

circumnavigate the earth

also : to go around instead of through : bypass

circumnavigation

-ˌnav-ə-ˈgā-shən 

noun