directive

¹di·rec·tive

adjective \də-ˈrek-tiv, dī-\

Definition of DIRECTIVE

1

: serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence

2

: serving to point direction; specifically : directional 1b

3

: of or relating to psychotherapy or counseling in which the counselor introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client

First Known Use of DIRECTIVE

15th century

Rhymes with DIRECTIVE

advective, affective, bijective, collective, connective, convective, corrective, defective, deflective, detective, effective, elective, ejective, infective, inflective, injective, invective, objective, perfective, perspective, projective, protective, reflective, respective, selective, subjective

²directive

noun

Definition of DIRECTIVE

: something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action or goal; especially : an authoritative instrument issued by a high-level body or official

Examples of DIRECTIVE

1. They received a written directive instructing them to develop new security measures.
2. <the company president regularly issues directives intended for all staff members>

First Known Use of DIRECTIVE

1902

Related to DIRECTIVE

Synonyms

behest, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, command, do, edict, imperative, injunction, instruction, order, word

Related Words

demand, requirement; mandate; countermand, counterorder; law, precept, prescript, prescription, rule; ordinance, regulation, statute

Near Antonyms

appeal, entreaty, petition, plea, urging; proposal, recommendation, suggestion

di·rec·tive

adjective \də-ˈrek-tiv, dī-\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DIRECTIVE

: of or relating to psychotherapy in which the therapist introduces information, content, or attitudes not previously expressed by the client