1 [geography] The mental activities engaged in by a person trying to reach a destination, usually an unfamiliar one, in real or virtual space. Wayfinding consists of acquiring information that is relevant to choosing a route, or a segment of a route, and of evaluating that information in the course of travel so the route can be changed as needed. Wayfinding is the cognitive component of navigation.
2 [geography] The academic study of wayfinding behavior; also, the scientific art of designing real or virtual environments to make wayfinding easier.
3 [navigation] Long-distance, open-sea navigation without instruments, as traditionally practiced by Pacific Islanders.