navigable waters

English

Noun

navigable waters pl (plural only)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see navigable,‎ waters.
2. (law, US) Those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability, once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the waterbody, and is not extinguished by later actions or events which impede or destroy navigable capacity.

Derived terms

• traditional navigable waters (US)