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.
Spoelstra charted out a map for Herro to circumnavigate by running into antithetical gaps on a possession-by-possession basis, creating inconsistencies that got Cleveland’s fatigued defense out of rhythm. Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025 The Drake Passage also gained attention online thanks to the Royal Caribbean 9-Month World Cruise, which circumnavigated the globe from December 2023 to September 2024. Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 More recently, Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks and holding wargames near New Zealand, two unprecedented developments that have rattled the U.S. allies. Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025 Pitt, Kosinski and Bruckheimer circumnavigated the Formula 1 global circuit from Silverstone to Las Vegas, ending in Abu Dhabi for production (hence the film’s reported $300 million budget). Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 2 Apr. 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 1 May. 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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