Definition of navigation

The word "navigation" has its roots in Latin. The term "navigare" originally meant "to row" or "to pave". In the 14th century, the Latin phrase "navigatio" referred to the act of steering or guiding a ship. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the broader concept of finding one's way or directing the movement of a ship or vehicle, regardless of the mode of transportation. By the 16th century, the English word "navigation" emerged, meaning the act of determining and controlling the course of a ship or other vehicle. Today, the term encompasses various forms of navigation, including maritime, aerial, and terrestrial navigation, as well as electronic and digital navigation aids. Despite its changes in meaning, the core idea of navigating remains the same: to find and control one's course through a particular space or environment.