circumnavigate

verb

cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
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 noun
circumnavigator noun

Examples of circumnavigate in a Sentence

The ship circumnavigated the world. the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brisbane, Australia/Hong Kong CNN — Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks, passing within 200 miles of Sydney, and staging unprecedented live-fire drills on its doorstep with New Zealand. Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025 Mirzakhani became obsessed with these circumnavigating curves. Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025 But for a guy who lives on a private island, kitesurfs with Barack Obama, and unearths new properties primarily by circumnavigating the planet via hot-air balloon, Sir Richard is surprisingly egalitarian. Heidi Mitchell, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025 There is no road that circumnavigates the perimeter, at least not easily navigable by car, so being on one side of the island tends to root you there. Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of circumnavigate was in 1634

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circumnavigate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

circumnavigate

verb
cir·​cum·​nav·​i·​gate ˌsər-kəm-ˈnav-ə-ˌgāt How to pronounce circumnavigate (audio)
: to go completely around especially by water
circumnavigate the earth
also : to go around instead of through : bypass
circumnavigation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on circumnavigate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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